Omoro District

Thank you. Hon. Lamwaka Catherine, MP, District Woman Representative of Omoro. You have two minutes.

7. Nankwanga Stellamaris Woman Representative Bugweri Independent 8. Nanzala Metrine Namisindwa County Namisindwa NRM 9. Nassolo Eugenia Rubaga Division South Kampala NUP 10. Nawe Molly Kamukama Woman Representative Kazo NRM 11. Ndeezi Alex PWD Representative N/A NRM 12. Ngabirano Charles Rwampara East County Rwampara Independent 13. Ninsiima Evelyne Woman Representative Rubanda Independent 14. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama Woman Representative Buhweju NRM 15. Nyakato Asinansi City Woman Representative Hoima City PFF 16. Namujju Cissy Dionizia Woman Representative Lwengo NRM 17. Nyakato Dorothy Woman Representative Kitagwenda NRM 18. Namutaawe Joan Woman Representative Masaka NUP 19. Nayebale Sylivia Woman Representative Gomba NRM 20. Naziiwa Margret Woman Representative Kagadi NRM 21. Nkunyingi Muwada Kyadondo County East Wakiso NUP 22. Nuria Hafsa Teko Woman Representative Kotido Independent 23. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County Bulambuli NRM 24. Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya Lamwo County Lamwo NRM 25. Obong Peter Acuda Maruzi County Apac UPC 26. Obong Vincent Shedrick Lira West Division Lira City UPC 27. Okiding Sam (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 28. Ofwono Opondo P’Odel Older Person’s Representative Eastern NRM 29. Ocen Geoffery Kioga North County Amolatar UPC 30. 3Ogwal Joseph Jones Dokolo North County Dokolo NRM 31. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu City NRM 32. Nameere Justine Woman Representative Masaka City NRM 33. Nkrumah Roland Bufumbira County East Kisoro NRM 34. 3Ojiit Peter Pingire County Serere Independent 35. Ntabazi Harriet Bwamba County Bundibugyo NRM 36. Ocan Patrick Apac Municipality Apac Independent 37. Ogwang Patrick Obura Oyam County South Oyam NRM 38. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot Kumi County Kumi NRM 39. Oketcho George West Budama County South Tororo NRM 40. Oketcho John Francis Bugiri Municipality Bugiri NRM 41. Okeyoh Peter Bukooli Island County Namayingo NRM 42. Okot Peter Tochi County Omoro DP 43. Okumu Gabriel Okoro County Zombo NRM 44. Omara Paul Otuke County Otuke NRM 45. Omoding Emmanuel Serere County Serere NRM 46. Onek Hilary Obaloker Palabek County Lamwo NRM 47. Oneka Lit Amere Denis Kitgum Municipality Kitgum FDC 48. Ongom Patrick Erute County North Lira NRM 49. Ongu James Kwania North County Kwania NRM 50. Opito Vincent Dokolo South County Dokolo UPC 51. Nankabirwa Ann Maria Woman Representative Kyankwanzi NRM 52. Nantongo Fortunate Rose Woman Representative Kyotera NUP 53. Natumanya Flora Woman Representative Kikuube NRM 54. Naturinda Eliab Ndorwa County West Kabale NRM 55. Ngompek Linos Kibanda North County Kiryandongo NRM 56. Ninkusiima John Paul (Dr) Ibanda County South Ibanda NRM 57. Niringiyimana James R. Kaberuka Kinkizi County West Kanungu NRM

15 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 58. Niyonsaba Alex Bufumbira County South Kisoro NRM 59. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe Kassanda County North Kassanda NUP 60. Ntale Nsereko Madina Kawempe Division South Kampala NRM 61. Obigah Rose Woman Representative Terego NRM 62. Ochai Maximus West Budama County North Tororo NRM 63. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah Omoro County Omoro NRM 64. Okello Patrick Onguti Aswa County Gulu DP 65. Okot Boniface Henry Kole South County Kole NRM 66. Odwori John Kagoma North County Jinja NUP 67. Oboth Marksons Jacob West Budama Central County Tororo NRM 68. Onzima Phiona Ayivu Division West Arua City NRM 69. Ongalo-Obote Clement Kenneth Kalaki County Kalaki NRM 70. Okia Joanne Aniku Woman Representative Madi-Okollo NRM 71. Nsegumire Muhamad Kibedi Mityana County North Mityana NRM 72. Okullo Francis Ochero County Kaberamaido NRM 73. Opio Samuel Acuti Kole North County Kole NRM 74. Okwi Constantine Kibale County Pallisa NRM 75. Waako Joy Peggy Older Persons Representative Female NRM 76. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor Nebbi Municipality Nebbi Independent 77. Ssekitoleeko Robert Bamunanika County Luweero NUP 78. Ogwang Peter Ngariam County Katakwi NRM 79. Ongorok Richard Usuk County Katakwi NRM 80. Olanya Gilbert Kilak South County Amuru FDC 81. Okoya John Calvin Chua East County Kaberamaido NRM 82. Okello Geoffery Charles Nwoya East County Nwoya DP 83. Ogama Alli Ismail Lower Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM The House was suspended at 11.12 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. On resumption, at 1.00 p.m. 84. Wanyoto Godfrey Budadiri County West Sironko Independent 85. Nyamutoro Phiona Woman Representative Nebbi NRM 86. Opio Denish Geoffrey Nwoya County Nwoya DP 87. Origumisiriza Enid Atuheire Woman Representative Kabale NRM 88. Ottober Wellborn Odiya Aruu North County Pader NRM 89. Ssewagudde Robert PWD Representative N/A Independent 90. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail Padyere County Nebbi NRM 91. Ruteraho Lillian Woman Representative Isingiro NRM 92. Ssemwanga Joseph (Brig. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 93. Sange Jackline Woman Representative Kween NRM 94. Opolot-Okwalinga Simon Peter Kanyum County Kumi NRM 95. Owere Richard Machika West Budama North East Tororo NRM 96. Paparu Lillian Obiale Woman Representative Arua NRM 97. Paak Peter Pex Dodoth East County Kaabong NRM 98. Rwakoojo Robina Gureme Woman Representative Gomba NRM 99. Rwashande Emmanuel (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Lwemiyaga County Ssembabule NRM 100. Sekabira Denes Katikamu North County Luweero NUP 101. Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga Kalungu County West Kalungu NUP 102. Owino Nicholas Simon Tororo North County Tororo NRM

9 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 56. Kirungi Annet Pamela Woman Representative Kabarole NRM 57. Kyogabiirwe Jackie Muganda Woman Representative Kyegegwa NRM 58. Lanyero Christine Awany Woman Representative Nwoya NRM 59. Logose Sarah Annet Woman Representative Butaleja NRM 60. Lokii John Baptist (Dr) Matheniko County Moroto NRM 61. Lokoru Albert Tepeth County Moroto Independent 62. Lokoru Stephenson Yoyo Chekwii East County Nakapiripirit NRM 63. Longoli Simon Peter Chekwii County (Kadam) Nakapiripirit NRM 64. Lubega George Willy Bugangaizi South County Kakumiro NRM 65. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira Nyendo-Mukungwe County Masaka City NUP 66. Lugoloobi Amos Ntenjeru County North Kayunga NRM 67. Kiwanuka Sulaiman Nakifuma County Mukono NUP 68. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli Mwenge County South Kyenjojo NRM 69. Kyeyune Ivan Nakasongola County Nakasongola NUP 70. Lakisa Mercy Faith Woman Representative Alebtong NRM 71. Lenia Charity Kevin Vurra County Arua NRM 72. Mutebi Benard Mugoya Bulamogi County Kaliro Independent 73. Katooko Sylivia Damba Woman Representative Kibuku NRM 74. Kayogera Yona Busiki North County Namutumba Independent 75. Kiti Peter T’oo County Bukwo NRM 76. Lolem Micah Akasile Upe County Amudat NRM 77. Locap Peterkhen Bokora East County Napak NRM 78. Linda Irene City Woman Representative Fort Portal City NRM 79. Lokubal Emma Woman Representative Nabilatuk NRM 80. Katusiime Adrine Woman Representative Sheema NRM 81. Loluk Fidelis Logwee Napore West County Karenga Independent 82. Komakech Christopher Aruu County Pader NRM 83. Muzaid Khemis Arua Central Division Arua City FDC 84. Lamwaka Catherine Woman Representative Omoro NRM 85. Kiwanuka Abdallah Mukono County North Mukono NUP 86. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo Kyotera County Kyotera NRM (The House was suspended at 11.42 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.00 p.m., the Deputy Clerk, Parliamentary Affairs presiding.) 87. Lokwang Hillary Ik County Kaabong NRM 88. Lowila CD Oketayot Woman Representative Pader NRM 89. Lugoloobi Willy Bageyente Bujumba County Kalangala NRM 90. Lugwar Benson Agogo North County Agago Independent 91. Lukyamuzi David Kalwanga Busujju County Mityana NUP 92. Kiwanuka Keefa Kiboga East County Kiboga NRM 93. Maala Zahrah Luyirika Makindye Division West Kampala NUP 94. Makumbi Henry Kamya Mityana County South Mityana NRM 95. Mariam Seif Woman Representative Iganga NRM 96. Mafabi Asha Nabulo Woman Representative Sironko NRM 97. Mamawi James Adjumani East County Adjumani Independent 98. Masaba Karim Industrial Division Mbale City Independent 99. Matembu Chriss Wataka Bubulo County West Manafwa Independent 100. Matovu Emmanuel Magoola Busiro County East Wakiso Independent 101. Mawanda Micheal Maranga Igara County East Bushenyi NRM

18503 Wednesday, 1 April 2026 illicit alcohol use and energy drinks, which the House asked him to address. Then we will receive a report on the concerns raised by the sugarcane growers and on the issue of weighbridges. I will further vary the Order Paper to accommodate the following items: i) A request by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to reallocate budget estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and revision of work plans for the National Forestry Authority and the Ministry of Water and Environment – this was affected by rationalisation; and ii) Tabling of the 53 rd and 54 th Bi-annual Performance Report of the Inspectorate of Government pursuant to Article 231(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Honourable members, yesterday we laid to rest the father of the late former Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Jacob. I want to thank all those who managed to make it to Omoro and who contributed morally, financially and spiritually. I wish you nice deliberations.

Honourable members, I request you to create some time and join the family on the 31 st , for the send-off of our old man; that is our father. A father to one of us is a father to all of us. I request you to contribute either financially, morally, or spiritually. Please, join the family in Omoro for the burial. I now adjourn the House to 1 April 2026, when we will be receiving the Tax Bills and the budget estimates. Have a blessed evening . (The House rose at 9.16 p.m. and adjourned until Wednesday, 1 April 2026, at 2.00 p.m.)

18194 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Tuesday, 2 December 2025 receive the National Budget Framework Paper pursuant to Section 8(5) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 152 of the Rules of Procedure. I also want to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to those who are campaigning like my Leader of the Opposition (LOP). My LOP, I would like to congratulate you on winning the case. Congratulations. We wish all of you well in this ongoing election. We want you back in the House. I also congratulate all those that are unopposed. I congratulate and wish everybody well. (Applause) As we prepare to come back to the 12 th Parliament, honourable members, as you may be aware, the Parliament of Uganda is hosting the East African Inter-parliamentary games from 6 to 17 December 2025. I urge all of you to participate in your various disciplines as we protect the gains of Uganda. We need to protect the gains of EALA and –(Laughter) On a sad note, on Tuesday 25 November, we lost one of our former Members of Parliament, Hon. Canon Absolom Ongom Abednego. He used to represent Omoro County in the National Resistance Council (NRC), that is 1996 and 2001. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 6 December 2025. We relay our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Omoro and all the loved ones. May we rise and observe a moment of silence in his honour. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.) IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 5TH SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 2.01 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to thank Members for coming back. As the minister brings the report, there is a road I think they have forgotten about and for the last five years, it has become a death-trap, never maintained. That is the road that leaves Corner Minja up to Cwero; the road to Kitgum. It is the road that connects Omoro to Kitgum. That road has become a death-trap. I would like to remind the minister that, that road exists and it is in a very bad shape. Madam Speaker, they have talked so much about the issue of maintenance of roads but the Moroto Road that you mentioned slightly

r a 39 Kobusingye Aldo Privote Secretory 5.0@,000 BwogiNothon Senior LegolOtflcer 5,000,0@ Erinoh Kogisho Senior LegolOfficer 5,000,000 Mbiine Doris M. mutohungo Specio! Presidentiol Assisto nt/Mobilizotion 5,000,000 Khouko Andrew Speciol Presidentiol Ast/Politicol Atfoirs 5,000,000 4,500,000 Kyokuho Moris I nformolion Technology Officer 4,500,000 Byongwe Justus Principol ICT Otficer 4,500,000 Komwine Mercy Precious Privote Secretory 4,500,000 Kiwuuwo KiguliChorles Privole Secretory 4,500,000 Obboo ffoo Monosseh Privote Secretory 4,500,000 Okello Edwin C,odfrey Privote Secrelory Privole Secrelory 4,500,000 MosogoziKoto Henry Privote Secretory 4,500.000 Omoro Robert 4,500,000 Ruyongo Rogers Privote Secretory 4,&8,476 Mbiro Annet Nursing Officer Nursing Officer 4,M,476 Nobukeero Morio Nurcing Officer 1,M,476 Achogo Annet Mutengo Assistont Pdvote Secretory 4,250,000 BitoliJosephine Assislont Privote Secrelory 4,250,000 ZoiluniMutesi 4,250,000 Koruhongo Wilson Assistont Privote Secretory 4,250,000 Acen Roseline Senior Agriculturol Officer Agricullurol Extension Officer 4,000,000 Ahimbisibwe lon 4,000,000 Sseguyo Deo Agriculturol Officer 4,000,000 Edimu Froncis Agronomist 4,000,000 Koloborwo Honiel Animo! Husbondry Otficer 4,000,000 Gerold Konsiime Assistont Privole Secretory Assistonl Secrelory 4,000,000 Konsiime Gerold Mukomo Ankundo Joy Auditor 4,000,000 Cleoner 4,000,000 Woiro Michoel 4,000,000 Koyeyero lsobirye Robert Dolo Monogement Officer Byoruhongo Benson Dgcumentolion Officer 4,000,000 &,r^

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for their report. Mr Speaker, I want to entirely agree with you that we must prioritise the purchase of the PET Machine so that we end the challenge that Ugandans face. There is actually wrong diagnosis going on in this country. By the time they discover that somebody has cancer, the disease would have reached stage three or stage four. Therefore, we must find the Shs 62 billion. What is available is Shs 30 billion. What they need is Shs 92 billion. Let us put aside everything for the sake of ensuring that there is proper diagnosis. (Applause) Of course, we have been told that they receive 7,000 cancer patients annually and these are the ones that are diagnosed. However, there are people who have cancer out there and they even do not know. Secondly, can we focus instead of doing so many things at the same time? Uganda Cancer Institute already has a regional centre, fully constructed and commissioned, in Omoro and another one in Mbarara. There is a funding gap of Shs 15.9 billion. What has been provided is Shs 9 billion. Can we prioritise that? What goes on at the Uganda Cancer Institute – honourable colleagues, if you get there, you will actually feel sorry for them. It is terrible. It should not be a centre of excellence for oncology in the East African region. I support the committee’s report, saying we should prioritise. For Uganda Heart Institute, they just want to start constructing. Can we focus on the Uganda Heart Institute at Naguru and have it operational, first, before we think of starting other centres outside? Uganda Heart Institute is already running – I talked about the two. Can we first prioritise that and have it operational before we think of Hoima and another centre that they are thinking about? I want to move to the other – the digital X-ray machines. Thank you, Ministry of Health, for procuring this equipment. We have had a challenge of X-rays in this country. When I was the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), we took a new digital X-ray machine to Tororo. Unfortunately, five years down the road, this equipment has never worked. Just a small thing – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the well-written report. I have two observations to make. 1. Our colleagues have already spoken about “GROW,” and some of these interventions are meant to support our women in improving their livelihoods. However, apart from the counterpart funding, the conditionality is stringent for our women to access this fund. We know that in most of our societies, women do not own properties, such as land. When they go to the banks to access this money, it is announced every day on the radio that there are funds to be accessed by women, but the banks’ conditions do not allow them. We may be here saying that there are funds available for women, but they are not accessing them. 2. Mr Speaker, the grants to older persons; we all know that life becomes sweeter as you age. Seeing from the Social Assistance Grant for the Elderly (SAGE), our old persons really enjoy the little token that they receive. We remember in the 10 Parliament how members put up a spirited fight to have SAGE enrolled in all the districts in the country. That was when the age was pushed to 80 years as a start. Now, with this grant to older people, targeting 60 to 79-year-olds, only three subcounties per district are targeted, and yet the demand is too huge. Now that the program has run for three years, let it be evaluated so that we can learn about its success. I must say that in my district of Omoro, the program is doing very well. This should encourage its expansion to the remaining sub- counties. This is because older people find it difficult to enrol in these other projects now because they are told, “No, you have your special project.” Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will submit on only two areas only. We have talked so much about the issue of quality. I feel that the committee missed a golden opportunity because if you look at UNBS, it is directly under the committee yet when you look at the assessors or the quality specialists at the different border points, there are only 10 in the country. That was a shocking revelation for us when we visited UNBS. I wish the committee could put more in terms of budgeting to UNBS because there are only 10 specialists who handle agro-inputs. Secondly, I join my colleagues in thanking the committee on that issue of policy. We have, for example, in Omoro, one extension worker to 5,500 farmers. If you are looking at quality, even just the training on what to do, what time to do it is very paramount but if you have only one extension farmer who is not equipped, who is not trained to do anything, then there is nothing much you can gain from that. I want to remind the committee to add that. More importantly, is that we deliberate almost every day. I want to request that you invoke Rule 222 on action-taken reports. Every single day we deliberate but we want the government to at least share an action-taken report, so that we are able to know what the Government has done because some of these issues keep reoccurring. We keep reminding the Government but we need to invoke that rule, Mr Speaker. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I would like to bring to your attention the issue of wildfires in Omoro. We have lost over 150 homes to wildfires. It is my prayer that –

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I would like to draw your attention to the wildfires in Omoro. I know it is not a question per se but it is an emergency right now. We have over 150 homes affected by wildfires and at the moment, we are just crying to you for help to support the families. Even a church is affected and the district is processing the disaster report, but I thought of bringing it to your attention for immediate action. Thank you very much.

Appreciate that these questions come from members. So, I try to make sure that we answer them and give answers satisfactorily. Thank you so much. My response is that the National Seeds Project (NOSP) is a seven-year initiative that started in 2021 to 2028, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government. Building on the successes of the Vegetable Oil Development Project(VODP) Phase 2 that started in 2010-2020, NOSP operates in 81 districts, clustered into hubs, that is West Nile, Northern, Eastern, Mid-Western and Karamoja. In Northern Uganda, the project is active in 17 districts including Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro, Agago, Kwania, Otuke, Lira, Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Oyam Dokolo and Kole. The project aims to address the shortfall in domestic oil seed production and increase the local output of vegetable oil and related by- products. Its primary development objective is to accelerate commercialisation in the key oil-seed value chain, thereby improving livelihoods and resilience of smallholders involved in oil-seed production and marketing. Actual implementation of the project activities commenced in the financial year 2023/2024. The following have so far been carried out: i) The National Oil Seed Project has provided inputs such as soybean foundation seed and fertilisers to 48 clusters in the region for multiplication to ensure availability of quality declared seed closer to the farmers. This in turn supports farmer groups in growing the seed as grain to increase production and productivity, improve nutrition, and enhance backward and forward linkages within the region; ii) Extension service. The project has provided refresher training for 273 district extension staff to support farmers in the implementing seed value chain activities and to enhance production and productivity. iii) MAAIF, through the project, procured and distributed 162 motorcycles per district to ease mobility - two motorcycles per district- enhance service delivery, and boost the production and productivity of agricultural commodities; iv) Clustering and formation of farmer groups to enhance oilseed production and productivity, contribute to crushing [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

The information I want to give to my brother – (Interjection) - He cannot be my son. My age and him, I cannot be a father of a boy of that age. (Laughter) I think he is my younger brother. No Member of Parliament here can be my child because I am only 18 years old! My brother, it is true that they can call you and not know the site. But I can tell you some of them even have the maps, the survey. They surveyed areas, they know, they will tell you, “We are going to Omoro”, we are going to this sub-county, this is for this, the parish, the villages. There is a whole network between – Either we do not know those who used to work in the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), or we do not know whether it is some surveyors. So, just continue with that but also know that Members need to be cautioned that they know even the villages where projects are supposed to be. And whatever I said is in good faith. You know that.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I bring condolences from the people of Omoro, Acholi and the Uganda Rugby fraternity. I also join my colleagues in condemning this heinous act of domestic violence. There should be no room for such in this modern era. I would like to thank the Government for giving this gallant daughter of the land that befitting burial; she did her best to represent the country. I also pay tribute to the Ministry of Education, through Hon. Ogwang and the First Lady. It is not easy to do what they are doing under the limited resources. Last year, this Parliament passed a silver bullet over the law, the National Sports Act. My colleague, Dr Acuti, mentioned Section 5 of the law of creating the National Recognition and Reward Scheme. It is just a matter of operationalising it because the honourable minister has mentioned several times that many times we won, for example in rugby, in the All Africa Games in Ghana, we got gold, both men and women. In Mauritius recently, we received gold medals but we are still grappling with the issue of player welfare and it is a matter that we can only address through certain schemes like this one. I appeal to the minister, that let us operationalise the law because it is a very fantastic. Secondly, the federations struggles organising international events, especially those sanctions- because they are not sanctioned by the National Council of Sports but by the Government. Recently, the Ugandan Rugby Union hosted the Rugby Africa Cup here in Uganda. Up to now, we are still paying debts because the Government is yet to fulfil its commitment. We have a debt of over Shs 2 billion - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to submit on only three points. While I want to thank the chairperson of the committee, I would like to focus on three aspects of the report. One is on the infrastructure. Moroto Road is a tourism road. It connects people to Gotodek, Barlonyo, and Ambrosoli Shrines. But Odek Bridge itself is just about five rains from being washed away. I want to draw this to the attention of the committee and the whole House because it is a national road. Secondly, in the plan to tarmac Moroto Road, they have only given Omoro two kilometres of tarmac. It would be our prayer that the cultural institutions are taken care of. If you were to visit the residence of Puranga, one of the biggest chiefdoms in Acholi, you would notice that the road to there is in a deplorable state; if they could extend some tarmac to that route, which goes to the residence of that cultural leader. Thirdly, on the issue of a tourism-centric nation. When you are coming to Uganda, it is not the destination. It is not that you are going to Got Odek, but you will go through the market vendors, hotel providers, and transport service providers. It is the whole system. What is Uganda’s readiness to make sure we are all able to welcome our visitors? Why I would visit a place because of how I feel I was treated. It is not at that hotel, but how I was treated outside that will make me come back. Therefore, I implore the committee to look at building the capacity of the nation to be tourism-centric. I beg to submit.

Yes, honourable chairperson of the committee? As the chairperson comes, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of Credo Nursery and Primary School, Gulu and Omoro branches. They are represented by Hon. Onen Charles, Hon. Aol Betty Ocan, Hon. Okot Peter, and Hon. Lamwaka Catherine, respectively. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them (Applause) They are in that corner looking very smart. Thank you. You can take your seats, our visitors.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues to thank the committee for the good report. However, I would like the chairperson of the committee to include the following. When I heard you read out the areas affected by the Nodding Disease Syndrome, you left the main area with the disease - that is the districts in East Acholi. These districts are; Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Omoro, and Gulu. Pader is the district with the highest number. We have over 5,000 children affected by the nodding disease. Pader District has about 10 subcounties affected by this disease. So, I request that you include them on your list. Secondly, when the President visited Atanga Subcounty to assess the Nodding Disease Syndrome issue, he made promises. One, he said he was going to give iron sheets to all the families affected by Nodding Disease Syndrome. This was because some of the children, because of mental disturbance, kept on burning their parents’ houses. The other promise he made is that Atanga Health Centre III should be elevated to a Health Centre IV, to cater for the children suffering from Nodding Disease Syndrome. I know the policy is that every county should have one health centre IV, but this is going to be a special case.

14235 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 We thank the President because he gave one ambulance in the name of these children. Mr Speaker, sometime back in May, the Acholi Parliamentary Group moved around all the five districts, to do an assessment of these children affected by Nodding Disease. When we met the parents, they came out with the following requests: i. The parents want to know what made their children get Nodding Disease. This is because it affected them when they were in the camps, and after. The Ministry of Health has got the report, but they want to get it on the ground. ii. The parents requested that the two care centres, one in Omoro and another in Kitgum Tumango, which were constructed by a certain white lady in collaboration with the Government, should be revamped because they have collapsed. If they are opened, they can take their children there during the day so that they can do some economic activities. iii. The Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, sends food to these children. However, they sometimes send food once every six months. Their request is that the Government pays them money quarterly, so that when the season for food is on, they buy and stock it instead of waiting for the five kilogrammes of posho, and 10 kilogrammes of beans. Those are the few issues I wanted to inform you about the children with Nodding Disease Syndrome. Maybe –

Yes, you did complain and it is part of why I want to support this motion though on condition that it is not just about giving cows to the people; it should be one that is looking at the whole ecosystem from the feeds, medication and to the professional services. For example, if you look at Omoro, we have one extension service provider per 3,000 plus farmers. Therefore, unless we address the whole ecosystem, we are basically beating around the bush. I want to request that it should be a holistic approach. I thank you, very much.

14159 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 However, in many instances, the number of livestock previously verified was significantly reduced by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, without providing any explanation to the claimants/beneficiaries. Such cases were reported across Acholi, Lango and Teso subregions. The current market price per head of cattle in today’s open market could be slightly higher. No information on the current compensation rates used for other categories of livestock, such as goats and sheep, has been provided. Where we went, apart from cattle, people lost sheep, goats, donkeys and, in some cases, pigs. The committee observed that: i. Whereas the compensation package for claimant/beneficiary was determined through a verification and validation exercise, many complained that the number of livestock validated by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs did not reflect the exact losses incurred during the insurgence. ii. The rate used for compensation was not based on the current market price. Committee recommendations i. The ministry for Justice should base its payment to the claimant/beneficiaries on the exact number of livestock lost, as determined by the respective verification committees at the local government level. ii. The livestock compensated should relate to the established rate, for example, Shs 1,050,000 per head of cattle. This amount should be uniform throughout the subregions. Madam Speaker, we discovered that in some cases, people were paid Shs 500,000 or Shs 300,000, instead of Shs 1 million, for a cow. iii. The Inspector General of Government should investigate the varying payments per head of cattle in the different regions, against the agreed amount as per the verification exercise. iv. The Government should revise the compensation value per animal, to meet the current market price per head of cattle, goat, sheep and donkey. Government funding for compensation claims In Financial Year 2021/2022, His Excellency the President directed that Shs 150 billion be provided to kick-start – and the keyword is “kick-start” – compensation. However, the committee found out that during Financial Year 2021/2022, only Shs 50 billion was made available to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, for payment of the verified claimants/beneficiaries, in three the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. According to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, these funds were distributed equally among the 27 districts and two cities, which are listed. Every district/ city received Shs 1.72 billion. Further, funds totalling Shs 676.3 million bounced due to various reasons, including invalid bank account numbers, irregular title of the bank accounts, closure of the bank accounts and dormant accounts. This led to the return of these unpaid funds, to the Consolidated Fund. Omoro and Kumi districts did not receive payment during Financial Year 2021/2022, due to what the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs termed as “defective submissions”, which were returned to the respective districts for remedial action. Consequently, the allocations to these districts, with defective submissions, were pulled together and reallocated to other eligible claimants/beneficiaries. The committee established that in Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had a budget provision of Shs 30 billion, for the compensation of verified claimants/beneficiaries, but those funds were not released for that purpose.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. God indeed chooses leaders, the ones he knows are able. That is why he chose you and put you in that seat. Thank you so much. In Financial Year 2021/2022, Kumi and Omoro did not get the money. The claim was that the forms were not handled properly, according to the report. Who, then, was responsible for guiding the process, Attorney-General, if you really think things went well? Madam Speaker, we want to believe and accept that, yes, they put in effort but something went wrong, and there is no way the committee will hide the truth. I want to appreciate the Hon. Bwanika and the team, you have done your part. I know, for the last eight years I have been in Parliament, that you first allow us, the Members of Parliament, to pour out our hearts, then you come and respond to our cries later, but do not try to stop the debate. I want to beg of the Attorney-General and the team; allow Parliament to be Parliament, and then your house will be in order. Madam Speaker, when you look at what has happened, we are talking about compensating people for the loss of animals, personally, I lost my father. Probably if he was still alive, and those days when I was struggling with education, he was there, I would have been on another level of protocol politically. (Laughter) I failed on that because I lost my father. Nobody is talking about compensation for the loss of lives. When are we going to do it? The Transitional Justice Bill (T.J) is what is supposed to be summarising all these matters that we are talking about. Why did the Government list the T.J. Bill and leave it up to now? Because the policy that the report is talking about should have been this one, on T.J.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, my name is Ojok Andrew Oulanyah. I represent Omoro County in Omoro District, the last-born child of Gulu District. We were very honoured to have you yesterday, and Omoro is very happy to host you in Gulu.

14048 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT This implies that under Force Account, the money can maintain 18 kilometres, while under framework contract, all the money would maintain only 1.8 kilometres of the entire road. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the maintenance of national roads to reduce on rehabilitation costs of early reconstruction of non-maintained roads. Encroachment on road reserves Madam Speaker, on encroachment on road reserves, like the honourable colleague mentioned, the committee was informed by UNRA that one of the challenges faced by the station is encroachment on road reserves and other property, especially those under the Kitgum station. The committee was concerned that, currently, the mitigation measures by UNRA are encouraging staff to be more vigilant in identifying encroachers during the inspection. The committee was further informed that the UNRA enforcement unit did not have staff at every station and, therefore, there was need for them at all stations for faster response to encroachment. The committee recommends that UNRA provides enforcement staff at each station and, where necessary, evacuates some encroachers from its property as a deterrent example to prospective encroachers. Madam Speaker, allow me to briefly get to the recommendations of the committee in that respect. 1. UNRA should consider engaging public- private partnership – this is in respect to the request which was placed by the Karuma business community about the health facilities – the restroom facilities – at the town council. They said that UNRA should consider engaging public-private partnership to establish restrooms along national roads to ensure that Ugandans and tourists along the roads do not get embarrassed. 2. UNRA should consider establishing bus stop sheds along the roads. Oil roads and other strategic roads in northern Uganda The committee observed that the oil roads in Nwoya District have not yet received the requisite attention and maintenance. The poor condition of these roads is not only hindering the smooth transportation of oil equipment and personnel but also affecting the livelihoods of local communities who rely on these roads for their daily activities. Through sharing with stakeholders, the committee was informed that there are a number of strategic roads that need to be attended to, so as to enhance interconnectivity of the road network in the northern region. These roads offer substantial economic and social benefits to the region. Awer-Amuru-Otwee-Kololo Road – the gateway to West Nile at Rhino Camp This road serves as a vital link connecting Nwoya and Amuru districts to the West Nile region. By connecting communities to the ferry at Kololo and providing access to Rhino Camp, this route is essential for boosting regional trade, enhancing market access, and catalysing cross-district commerce. Moroto Road (through Omoro to Pader, Agago, and Abim in Karamoja) This road is key to unlocking the economic potential of the subregion, connecting Omoro, Pader, Agago, and Abim districts up to Moroto. Upgrading it to a high-grade tarmac road will facilitate the efficient movement of agricultural produce, lower transport costs, and stimulate regional trade. This road is essential for attracting investments in agriculture, education, and other key sectors, driving inclusive growth, and enhancing socio-economic outcomes for communities in these districts.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I have been following the report of the committee and I want to thank the chairperson for the very elaborate report. However, on one of their recommendations, talking about periodic assessment of bridges on some of the major roads in the country, I thought it would be very important for us to have a recommendation that covers all the bridges on the national roads in this country to avoid us operating in a manner that we are in now, especially regarding Karuma Bridge. Secondly, I want to comment on the issue of roads under Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The Ministry of Works and Transport should really improve on their coverage and as far as their assessment on status of roads is concerned, there are roads under UNRA that have not been worked on for the last five years. In Omoro District, I want to cite two cases. There is a road from Minakulu that connects Omoro to Nwoya District via Okwui. That road is in a very sorry state. Four days ago, the community around there and connecting to Nwoya were demonstrating. It is only your arrival in Omoro yesterday that calmed the situation down. We nearly lost two mothers who were in labour pain trying to access health facilities connecting to Kampala Road. I have written several times to the minister, and Hon. Musa Ecweru is aware of this, but nothing has been done on this road. Another road is Minja connecting Omoro District to Gulu and Kitgum. This is also another national road that has never been worked on. Even simple maintenance has never been done on the road, Madam Speaker. I want to implore the Ministry of Works and Transport - now that UNRA is no longer going to be there, let the Ministry of Works and Transport take care of all the roads under UNRA properly. I want to add my voice on the allocations for roads under Road Fund, Madam Speaker. It is very absurd. When Parliament is considering additional funding to the districts to take care of roads, you again find that they are reducing some of this funding that was there earlier on. I am not impressed with this move. The Shs 1 billion allocation by Parliament is really supporting local governments a lot in terms of maintenance. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Otuke is the only district in Northern Uganda where the five Nilotic tribes departed, when God created the universe. One was Teso. Second, Acholi. Third, Acholi- Jabwor. Then comes the Karimojong. Madam Speaker, I request – each time I shall represent this side of Otuke which covers all these tribes. There is a bridge on the road from Kapelebyong; that is Alito and Ogor Subcounty. Secondly, there is a bridge on the road from Omoro to Orumo, which is in Ajuri County; Alebtong District. The third bridge, Nam Agago, is on the road from Agago District, Ogor. Madam Speaker, one of these bridges should be considered. Lastly, the Shs 1 billion which, was given to the districts has been misused in Otuke District. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the district chairperson connived to grade only nine roads, out of the 24 roads which were meant to be graded. Madam Speaker, I would like this to be put into consideration. Thank you.

I want to read for you, Hon. Achia. Keep your cool. The road from Moroto through Omoro, Pader, Agago and Abim - Abim is in Karamoja. If the committee did not capture issues of Karamoja, let us put them down after the session. Let us sit as subregions; Karamoja, Acholi, Lango, West Nile, and agree on what was not covered. Let us agree on that. We do not have to lose our heads here.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Our able minister should cross-check for this within the ministry because, in Omoro, stamps for all the local councillors (LCs) were withdrawn from both those in substantive positions and those caretaking in the newly-curved administrative units. There was a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, instructing the Chief Administrative Officers not to give the stamp to those caretakers since they were not elected LCs but only appointed. Those stamps are being kept at the district and not issued to the caretaker LCIs.

Cluatar 229,A6r,75t 257,499,800 3 Bug\Men Butalela Butebo Buglrl Namutumba Palhsa Tororo Kapchorwa 4 80,520,828 232,500,O00 223,080.000 696,207,225 380,000,0o0 Mbale Bukwo Kumr Sorotl 60,354,275 5 Serere 66,250,000 Amuru 179,300.O00 302,900,o00 368,695,00O 6 Nwoya Oulu Omoro Lrra Kole Dokolo 284,597 ,?Oo 220,OOO,OOO 369,115,000 244,379,OOO 7 t96,959,267 222,500,0O0 303,988,900 260,O00,O00 Oyam Kwama Apac I(asese l(abarole 351,739,s00 262,240,OOO 46t,423,373 8 392,624 OOO 690,075,980 9 lfrac Of Dlrtrlctr Cuau.htl DlrbEtacacnt (ucxl 196,980,O00 295,OOO,OOO 5t4,949,440 r83,335.174 B I unyangabu Kamwenge Krtag! .enda Kyenlolo 803,442.0O0 Kyegeg!r/a N *d,.- 7

I thank the committee for its elaborate report. However, I note that this morning, the minister of state for sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, reiterated a statement that was made here, on the Floor, on 15 March 2024, by the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, that in preparation for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the ministry would work on the road segment that runs from Corner Aboke, that is, Molem-Iceme to Omoro. Madam Speaker, I do not see that reflected in this report so I seek clarification if that is going to be done as stated earlier. Thank you very much. THE SPEAKER. Take note. Hon. Aguti, do you have something? Hon. Santa?

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the committee for the good report that they presented. I know that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is in charge of all the special interest groups. There is one issue that has been appearing on the Floor of Parliament every year; that is the issue of the children affected by nodding syndrome during the war. Up to today, some of them have never walked, some are limping, some are on medication and they are doing well. I believe the issue of nodding syndrome cuts across the two ministries; Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Health, for medication, welfare under Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. When the chairperson presented the budget, I did not hear any mention of these children. Some weeks ago, the Speaker the Acholi Parliamentary Group, to do assessment on this issue. We went to Omoro, Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo, we invited the people who were in Lango. When we met the community and those children, the main thing that the parents requested for was to revive the rehabilitation and habitation centres, which were opened up by some time back by a white lady. However, when she ran out of the money, the Government did not complete the centres.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the chairperson of the committee for the report. I have three observations, Madam Speaker. One, on the issue of ex-gratia, I want to appreciate the committee for the proposal, especially regarding the arrears. However, even for what has been planned in the IPF, for example, in Omoro there is a shortage. In the previous years, they gave Shs 172 million, but in this year, they are giving Shs 44 million. I would like them to just take note of that because some errors keep cropping up. Second, on the issue of the Road Fund under Community Access Roads (CAR), I would like to request. The last time we raised this issue about new administrative units, it was an issue of coding. I hope that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has completed the issue of coding those new administrative units so that they can also get funding. In addition, there are some old subcounties like Ongako and Koro that have not been receiving the CAR funds for the last two financial years. [Dr Opio] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

12157 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024 Omoro, Hon. Joyce Acan, and the Member from Kitgum. Yes, I picked the former minister, Hon. Sarah Opendi. Therefore, colleagues, you know your order. I picked you too, Hon. Rose Obigah - the ones who have stood up, you know your order please.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. For us who come from a region, which is heavily affected by the Nodding Syndrome, each time a matter comes on the Floor regarding the Nodding Syndrome, we feel it. There were two centres, one in Omoro, and the other one in Kitgum, which were being run by private individuals to support the children with Nodding Syndrome. These organisations or private individuals ran short of funding and they handed over these centres to the Government, directly to the local government with expectations that the Government would appropriate money to support the local government which in turn would support the running of the centres. The last time money came from the Government to the district local government was way back

Hon. Santa, the committee report on page 4 shows that they visited families in Gulu and Omoro districts. They also visited the health centres in Omoro, Pader and Kitgum, meaning that they did not go to Lango. What is very important, honourable members, is getting a full picture even if the committee does not go there. We have a way of getting it. During budgeting, we will ensure that all these issues are looked at. Hon. Komakech –

12160 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT On that note, I would like to thank everyone who has come out to hear the plight of these children. I thank the President; he took his own way and donated heads of cattle to these children. In Pader, each family received two heads of cattle so that they can get milk. However, this is just a smear of an ice cream. I would like to paint for you the exact picture as a technocrat in that field and as a Member of Parliament who represents these children. Honourable members, nodding syndrome is a disease for the children and it is not curable at whatsoever case. The worst part of it is that as these children grow, they develop another form of mental illness. They upgrade from nodding syndrome to a more severe form of mental illness. It could be bipolar or schizophrenia, whatever you call it. We should note that every time the children get a seizure – a seizure is a feat – they get mental retardation. These children cannot feed themselves or do daily activities of living, meaning that they are property of the Government. How it pains if the Government – I am not saying this to demean the Government. We always receive food grants once a year. Thanks to the Prime Minister who gives. Each family gets 10 kilogrammes of maize flour and five or 10 kilogrammes of beans, once a year. The medicine that these children take aggravates appetite for eating. The only way you can treat the brain or improve it is by eating well. Their appetite goes high and they end up eating dust on the roads. This is the problem we go through. The Government allocated Shs 1 billion in the Tenth Parliament and this money was squandered. In Pader District, I can confirm to you that no family benefited from the Shs 1 billion that was released. Iron sheets were donated, mattresses were donated, but none of the families received this help. Mr Speaker, I invoke and pray to this august House that in the coming budget, let us consider the plea of the children suffering from nodding disease, who have now turned into adults. Some of them have given birth to children having Nodding Disease Syndrome. So, it is a generation that will go on and on. I implore us to put funds aside. I request the Minister of Health – the President had pledged establishment of two rehabilitation centres, one in Omoro and another in Pader. To date, we are still waiting for these rehabilitation centres so that our children can seek help. Thank you very much. I will be very glad if our request is put into consideration.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. For consistency of the record, I request that we correct pages 3 and 7, where we have written “Orapwoyo” as “Orafayo”. There is no subcounty as such in Omoro District. When I raised this matter on the 6 th of last month, the Minister of Health was the first to say there was misappropriation of money. I would expect that within the recommendations of the committee, there will be a section where we shall audit what has been given to the beneficiary communities. About what my colleague has also mentioned, it is important to know what has been given to the communities and how they have benefitted. If there has been any misappropriation, they should be held liable. Secondly, the issue of outreach has not been very sustainable. With these rehabilitation centres, at least we knew that there is a central point. In the case of Omoro, the rehabilitation centre is in Odek and the nearest health centre is about five kilometres away from that point.

This matter is not new in this Parliament and it comes up in each term. The very last time that I handled this matter was in 2018 when it was raised by Hon. Franca Akello on the Floor of this House. It made me to go and visit all the districts to ascertain exactly what was on the ground. As we all know, Nodding Syndrome neurological disorder is severe in some of the affected children and also mild but unfortunately, some of them are completely bedridden. When I visited, the majority were falling in the last category of those who were severely affected, comprising about 74 percent of the patients. At that time, the majority of the cases were in Pader but when I visited, what I found on the ground was that there was confusion between Nodding Syndrome and Epilepsy, which is rampant in most of the districts. This is where there is need for the minister - I hope she is still here; oh, she is hiding the other side. There is need for the minister to tell us the current statistics - (Interjection) No, I withdraw that. She is not hiding; I had not seen her. The Government has done its best to support the families with the clinical care. And when the NGOs that were operating in Kitgum and Omoro closed, the Government was providing for those services at the health facilities. However, we found out that the actual number of Nodding Syndrome cases was dropping. What was going up were the cases of epilepsy. But of course, we also found the black fly in the community and Government was supposed to spray and kill them. However, the people must also cooperate and take Ivermectin because there was lack of cooperation from some of the population. If everybody took that medication, we would definitely be able to deal now with the challenge of epilepsy caused by the black fly. I need to know from the ministry the real Nodding Syndrome and Epilepsy cases because there is a mix of the two. Otherwise, I want to thank - When you meet these children, you feel sorry for the parents. It was a pathetic situation, seeing your normal child turn into something else and becoming completely helpless. The child has to be fed, some parents because they do not have anybody to leave this child with, they would either lock them in the house or tie them with some rope outside so that this child does not wander. What I can say is that by then, the numbers for the nodding syndrome were going down while epilepsy was going up. So, we need to get clarity on that. Thank you.

12162 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT know some of the areas that are mentioned in the report. The report highlighted that this disease is not curable. And yesterday when some of the team from Acholi went to the ground, they were saying, “We are proposing that these children be accommodated under special interest groups, especially people with disabilities”. However, there is a challenge in our Act, Schedule 3, that highlights the type of disability that is supposed to be accepted. Unless we amend the Act to include people with Nodding Syndrome, that is the only way we can have these people acknowledged as people with disabilities. Again, some researchers are arguing that Epilepsy can be cured. That when children grow up, they outgrow Epilepsy. The other challenge is the closure of the rehabilitation centre in Omoro, Tumangu and others. As Hon. Sarah Opendi said, most of these children are locked in the house and are so stigmatised that they cannot overcome the challenge of this disease. However, if these children are brought into the rehabilitation centre, they can be catered for very well and some of them can recover and maybe go back to school. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving us the opportunity to debate this report. I want to thank the Committee on Health for going on the ground to ascertain the magnitude of the plight of our people and what we have been going through. I have been privileged to be among the few MPs who visited the site, not once, but more than thrice and I would like to comment on the report presented by the Committee on Health on this Floor. First of all, on page 19, the committee said that they were informed that the Office of the Prime Minister distributed 270 pieces of iron sheets to the households affected by Nodding Syndrome. However, what we got on the ground was that they only received 200 pieces of iron sheets, and on the same page, there was also an allocation of Shs 18 million to Gulu District, to enable them to cope up with increased demand of handling patients but we found that only Shs 8million was received and not 18 as it is in the report. Mr Speaker, when I go back to the issue of iron sheets, the prayers for the affected families are that - when you look at the population of the people that are affected with the nodding disease – we were in Omoro and Pader. I had a commitment so I had to run back, but the people affected are over a thousand and when you take 20 iron sheets to the population, I find it strange because what these parents go through to take care of the children is terrible. They chain them up when they are going out to look for a livelihood. They cried and said - Mr Speaker, we saw some of the victims seriously burnt and when we arrived in Pader District at Awere, we found tears still rolling down the faces of the parents because they had just lost a child who drowned in the river since the child was not tied up, he escaped. They told us that when the moon is about to set, that is when they get serious attacks. When they are attacked and there is no older person around, they become so wild that they can beat and overpower you. What happens is that they can even burn the grass-thatched houses; they have been burning houses so the community, the families and the affected have requested that the Government supplies every affected household, be it in Acholi - because we are debating nationally or Lango to distribute at least 20 pieces of iron sheets to the affected families so that they are

12169 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024 A doctor called Dr Suzanne Gazda proved that with adequate nutrition, treatment, physiotherapy, these children can actually live some sort of normal life. That is why she opened up this centre in Omoro. Unfortunately, when she saw that there was no support coming through, she said, there was no point, this was not sustainable and she went back to the United States. Personally, I was giving nutrition support because I saw it work. I remember when we visited this centre as Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development, we were very impressed with the progress of these children. It was giving the parents ample time to even do their normal work. Now with the closure of all these centres, parents are now forced to stay at home and keep these children. Mr Speaker, the problem has been that every time noise is made on this Floor, the Government then quickly looks for some money and throw it there. Once the noise goes down, that is how the money also disappears. So, the problem has been not just the lack of the funding, but the inconsistency. With the management of this disease, as a country, we need to be very consistent. Most of these children are actually adults. They may look like children, but they are adults. They need to eat, they need the medicine, but when it is inconsistent, that is how we get these lapses. My prayer is, we have talked about this, and we will continue to talk until maybe something is done. As a Christian, we say, push and pray until something happens. Perhaps we will talk until something eventually happens, and we see that these people are regarded as Ugandans, as you rightfully put it, Mr Speaker. These are Ugandans who need to be cared for. I remember when we visited them as a committee, there is a way they just run to you and they want that affection. I do not know how many of us can even find time and just go and spend even one hour with these people now. Now, - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, thank you. I was one of the seven members of a select committee constituted by the then Deputy Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Oulanyah, who visited a number of districts, including those rehabilitation centres. The situation was extremely catastrophic because parents are literally in prison. Those parents that take care of the victims of Nodding Syndrome cannot move or do anything; it is a prison. Much as proposals are being made to revamp the rehabilitation centres in Kitgum and Omoro, the report has mentioned some good Samaritans, like Archbishop John Baptist Odama. I know his centre has been overwhelmed, but it has accorded lots of psychosocial support to the victims, including nutritional support. The Government should consider giving more support to rejuvenate this centres that they are able to handle even more cases. By the way, the centre does not only handle victims of Nodding Syndrome. They also have the elderly, persons with disabilities, those with epilepsy and others. Mr Speaker, you mentioned the establishment of what is termed as “foster homes”. Foster homes would be a solution if the Government considered establishing them. A foster home is where guardianship and care is given to not only children whose parents have died, but also those whose parents are alive, but unable to take care of the children. In that way, these parents will be able to fend for themselves and even those that are maybe registered under SACCOS for the Parish Development Model programme will be able to work for their own livelihood. As of now, they are in prison, Mr Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker and all Members who have contributed to this report. From the onset, I would like to note that I feel so much pain when I listen to Members who have come across these children and seen them suffering. I have come across them, not in a rehabilitation centre but in a home. I have seen the pain of a mother who has a child with Nodding Syndrome. I want to commit that the Minister of Health is doing all it takes under the circumstances and with the limited resource envelope to make sure this ends. It is so sad for everybody. None of us may have that child but most of us are parents and we know what it means to have a condition that is not treatable and is out of your control. However, I would like to clarify a few things. As the Ministry of Health, we know that this Nodding Syndrome is in eight districts and two of them are in the Lango Subregion. Oyam and Lira are in Lango, isn’t it? The Ministry of Health is already there. They are working with Omoro, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Amuru, Oyam, Lira and Pader. Regarding this Nodding Syndrome, the Ministry of Health has a number. There are 2,200 children who have been reported and are under care and treatment. Out of these, some healed completely. Others even got married and have had children. We have others who sat senior six exams. Actually, their performance was not very good because of mental retardation but they grew into useful human beings. So, they need to get that treatment and also live productive lives. In one of the letters that the Ministry of Health wrote to the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury requesting for funds -most of you people from Northern Uganda are aware that the money that came through the Ministry of Health was not sufficient. It was little money. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health at least provided treatment for these children, which is their core mandate. Mr Speaker, Nodding Syndrome requires a multi-sectoral approach. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has got to come in. The Office of the Prime Minister

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to clarify on some of the few issues that have been raised. First, in the case of Lango. I state that the cases we found in Omoro District were coming from Oyam because Omoro District borders Oyam District and the rehabilitation centre that is at Adek is actually at the border between Omoro and Oyam. Secondly, the cases from Lira were actually being reported also under those in Pader because it borders Lira District. What we found was that most of the cases in Oyam and Lira were moving towards Omoro and also Pader because that is where the services were available unlike in Lira and therefore it needs intervention in all those areas. Thirdly, these rehabilitation centres are health centres, social centres and also educational centres where they acquire vocational skills and they are integrated back into the community. We found out that some of the cases were integrated back into the community but there were some which were very severe and in the end, they went back home but still they could not be managed. That is the reason we proposed that a monthly support is given to those families because they have to stay close to them and they cannot go to their gardens, shops and businesses because if they do that, then there is a higher risk on them. Lastly, in regard to the new cases, in what we presented, we said that what they observed was that wherever there was a high population of the black flies, there was a high prevalence of nodding disease syndrome, mainly along the River Aswa. However, that hypothesis had a challenge. There are parts of the world in Latin America and Asia with a high black fly population but no nodding disease syndrome. Therefore, there could be possibilities that new cases may have emerged because the black fly hypothesis was not conclusive. Therefore, the proposal to support research will help to address this. In science, they say, “absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.” Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is regarding the new administrative units. Omoro has 15 administrative units, but only five are receiving funds from the road fund. What are the plans from the Government for the new administrative units? Because they are struggling in terms of funding for road maintenance and the like. Secondly, regarding transitional grants, what is the procedure for receiving funds for transitional grants for new administrative units? Thank you.

11888 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The Uganda Police helicopter (Aircraft Fixed Wing 5X PEF/P180 Piaggio Avanti Evo) was bought in June 2019 at a price of $7.48 million. However, it is now being sold at just $4 million. His prayer is: can the Prime Minister update the House on this matter? Mr Speaker, my response is that the Uganda Police Force has a police airwing whose function is to support policing within the country. It currently runs four aircrafts; three helicopters and that one: the Aircraft Fixed Wing aircraft. The aircrafts were intended, primarily, to assist in the maintenance of law and order by conducting aerial patrols and surveillance, aerial search and rescue, rapid response, force transportation and, sometimes, medical and casualty evacuation. When not required by the police for the stipulated duties, they may be used as a charter service by the Government, on payment of the prescribed fees. Mr Speaker, the fixed wing aircraft, which is a nine-seater aircraft, was acquired in June 2019 at a cost of $7.48 million and, since then, it has only flown for less than 200 hours. This is mainly due to its operational limitations, which includes designs that limit it to only paved or tarmacked runways, as well as high maintenance and operational costs. The aircraft is serviceable and has all the necessary requirements to operate. Mr Speaker, due to the above-mentioned limitations, Uganda Police Force management has been considering options of how the aircraft could be effectively and efficiently utilised in advancing the police mandate and, where possible, be linked to working domestically in the aviation industry, with a possibility of leasing it to the national carrier among other options. Disposal of the said aircraft has never been an option taken by police management as a way of ‘ utilisation ’ of the side aircrafts. In any case, if any disposal was to be considered, the due process would be diligently followed by all key stakeholders regarding the disposal of such an asset and in that respect, value for money would certainly be a key consideration to take into account. The Hon. Eunice Otuko Apio, Member of Parliament of Oyam North raised a question on the exclusion of Oyam North in the distribution of water by National Water and Sewerage Corporation under the on-going projects in the districts of Gulu, Omoro and Oyam. Prayer: Can the Rt Hon. Prime Minister update the House on the matter? Response: The Integrated Water Management and Development Project is a follow-up project being jointly implemented by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and the Ministry of Water and Environment. The scope of work under National Water and Sewerage Corporation entails the following: 1. Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project This is jointly funded by the World Bank and a German development agency called KFW, implemented in two packages, (package 1 and package 2). Package 2 is financed by the World Bank and it involves laying of 70.2 kilometre DN-500 500 ductile iron transmission pipeline from Karuma to Gulu. 2. Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project This project targets the population of Mbale and the neighbouring areas, including the towns of Butaleja, Busolwe, Kibuku, Kadama, Tirinyi, and Budaka. The project scope under National Water Sewage Corporation entails expansion of the production capacity of Bunghoko and Manafwa Water Treatment Plants from 4,000 cubic meters per day to 18,000 cubic meters PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Ms Nabbanja]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will make use of the five minutes. Let us go to page 3. The areas that we visited are highlighted; Pader, Omoro and Lamwo. The prevalence of Nodding Syndrome in the African countries is well highlighted; like I had mentioned, they are

11864 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 5, which is about the findings, observations and recommendations. 5.1 The extent of prevalence of Nodding Syndrome in Acholi Subregion. There are five tables. Table 1 is Pader District and it has about 1,000 cases. Table 2 is Kitgum and shows that there are 527, table 3 is Lamwo, table 4 is Omoro and table 5 is Gulu District. Committee observations According to records from the district local governments –

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the standing Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government): 1. Hon. Isaac Modoi - Lutseshe County; 2. Hon. Michael Mawanda - Igara County East; 3. Hon. John Twesigye - Bunyaruguru County; 4. Hon. Xavier Kyooma - Ibanda County North; 5. Hon. Fredrick Angura - Tororo South County; 6. Hon. Florence Nebanda - Butaleja; 7. Hon. Pamela Kamugo - Budaka; 8. Hon. Joseph Ruyonga - Hoima West Division; 9. Hon. Isaac Ssejjoba - Bukoto County Mid-West; 10. Hon. Jesca Ababiku - Adjumani; 11. Hon. Wamakuyu Mudimi - Elgon County; 12. Hon. Sharon Balmoyi - Gulu; 13. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 14. Hon. Catherine Lamwaka - Omoro;

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join colleagues in thanking the committee for processing the loan. I used to sit on the Committee on Local Government and Public Service and each time we went for oversight in the district, we hardly found the Chief Administrative Officers; reason being that they are always travelling to the next districts, which are connected for them to transmit their reports. In my district, Omoro, four days a week, all the heads of departments are in Gulu City because that is the only place they access connections for them to transact their reports to the ministries. Therefore, with this loan coming into place and ensuring that all the districts are connected; and the last mile connection to the district headquarters and other institutions, this will be a plus and to ensure that no one is left behind. I support the motion.

11236 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO MINISTERIAL STATEMENT she had taken a record of the security vehicle, she would be unable to live to tell the story as a witness. I refer the House to the 25 July 2023 Daily Monitor report which I have attached entitled, “Army stray bullet kills woman going to her garden.” Besides, security is fond of switching registration number plates upon accomplishing their missions. This was evident in the tenure of Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi, as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, when his vehicle number plate was switched to a Toyota Hiace drone for an operation; this is a deputy IGP switching number plates. The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, came out in defence of the saga and stated that it is their tendency, as security, to switch number plates, depending on the magnitude of the operation they intend to conduct. I also reflect on the various by-elections like Omoro, Soroti, Bukedea, among others, where security forces concealed their vehicle number plates with cow dung to evade detection. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The Government, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, is currently laying infrastructure as part of the implementation for the water supply and sanitation project to Gulu City and small towns en route. The small towns en route component includes three districts; Gulu, Omoro and Oyam. This very huge project that is being funded by the World Bank and the KFW Bank is drawing its water from a place called Nora in Oyam District. Oyam is going to be hosting up to 40 kilometres of the water works, which translates to approximately 60 per cent of the entire length of the water works to Gulu City. Oyam is very happy for Gulu and the two districts in between. However, to our shock and disbelief, Oyam has been left out of the entire scheme. Not a single drop of water -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join my honourable colleagues in congratulating you upon the title that you have attained. Congratulations! I tried it at one point, but it came out one. I think I need to consult you. (Laughter) I thank the chairperson of the committee for the wonderful report he presented; it was a very detailed. I would like to speak on recommendation number eight the committee gave, on integrating PDM in all other Government programmes and ministries. When you look at how PDM is designed, the goal we are looking for is to have transformation in the lives of the people at the end. That is the reason they call it a vehicle for transformation. The committee is on the right track. If only all ministries can realign their programmes and interventions to play their complementary roles in supporting PDM, we will achieve this most needed goal. Members have been talking, referring to the report on banking services, issues to do with trade that the trade ministry has to take care of for the cooperatives and the formations of the enterprise groups. There are issues of mind-set, local governments regarding recruitment. Madam Speaker, I want to speak on that particular matter. We are talking about mind- set change here, but the trend has changed now. I do not think it is only about people accepting to work hard. If you look at the staffing gaps, most districts are operating at 50 per cent or less in terms of extension workers who should support the component of PDM in enterprise nurturing so that the beneficiaries are able to deliver that transformation in their life. Therefore, the Ministry of Local Governments and all the relevant ministries concerned should prioritise the issues of recruitment of extension officers. For example, in Omoro, fisheries department has one staff who runs the whole district. How do we achieve PDM objectives in that area? Ministries should play their complementary role. My priority and emphasis is extension officers in all the subcounties of a districts - if we are to achieve in nurturing the enterprises being selected by these beneficiaries at the subcounties. Finally, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) should harmonise in terms of data. The beneficiaries are selected at the villages, entered into the system, but they are not in the NIRA data system. There is a gap as far as the information of NIRA, which is the national data system, is concerned so that we are –(Member timed out.)

10675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has updated its specifications and only allows robust solar systems that can work up to a minimum of l5 years. A few facilities that have so for benefited and the systems have been installed and commissioned, are as follows; 1. Kiboga - Bukomero Health Centre IV; 2. Kazo - Kazo Health Centre IV; 3. Buhweju - Nsika Health Centre IV; 4. Kamwenge - Rukunyu Government Hospital; 5. Kakumiro - Kakumiro Health Centre IV; 6. Omoro - Lalogi Health Centre IV; 7. Kapelebyong - Kapelebyong Health Centre IV; 8. Bukedea - Bukedea Health Centre IV; 9. Sironko - Budadiri Health Centre IV; 10. Manafwa - Bugobero Health Centre IV; and 11. Oyam - Anyeke Health Centre IV. Mr Speaker, these health centres have their power reliability at 100 per cent for the last two years and that is the direction that the Ministry of Health has taken to reduce the recurrent expenditure to the minimum. My response to the second prayer is that the standard for the general wards provides for separate sections for male, female and children. Once funds are realised, the required infrastructure shall be put in place at Kassanda Health Centre IV. My response to the third prayer is that on 20 September 2021, the Emergency Medical Services Policy was approved by the Cabinet of Uganda, and it spells out the allocation of ambulances to defined catchment areas. The new policy is to allocate one Type B ambulances per 100,000 population equivalent to one constituency in Uganda. The allocated ambulance serves the population in that constituency. The policy disbanded the prior arrangement of the issue of allocating ambulances to health facilities in order to serve a wider population better. Mr Speaker, the ambulance vehicle is situated at the most accessible and secure health facility in the constituency, preferably on the highway. In the year 2020/2021, Kassanda District was allocated an ambulance registration UG6859M for Bukuya Constituency. For now, though situated in one of the constituencies, the ambulance is provided with fuel to respond to emergencies across Kassanda North and Kassanda South constituencies, in Kassanda District. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, we plan to procure additional 180 Type B and Type C ambulances to fill the gaps. The Government is committed to fill the gaps in ambulance vehicles at the constituency level for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The fifth question came from Hon. Chelangat Alinga Solomon, Member of Parliament, T’oo County, Bukwo District. He stated thus: “ Bukwo District is predominantly an agricultural district. People mainly grow maize for both commercial and subsistence purposes. However, the President has been discouraging people from maize farming unless on a large scale because it is not economically viable. Therefore, our people were advised to shift to short term crops, which are more profitable. The Government of Uganda thought of giving our people some incentives through the Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP), under the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I have issues of concern that have discouraged our people from taking the good advice from the President. i. Government through ACDP, procured a contractor, Bold Energy, in April 2021 to supply farm inputs, like maize seed and fertiliser. The contractor did their part, but the Government has never met its obligation of paying the contractor. This has put the contractor in a very fragile

Thank you for giving way for information. Mr Speaker, the issues in Omoro are huge, especially around power. We have an entire subcounty without a single electricity pole; that is Orapwoyo Subcounty. Secondly, we have issues with those who have investments and need a lot of power. Some are setting up radio stations, and they have had to shut them down until power stabilises. When a pole is cut down or damaged, it is down for almost a week or two and this means there is no power. So, it is a cross-cutting issue. I just wanted to give my colleague that information. I thank you.

So, you did not have a question? Rt Hon. Prime Minister, he asked a question. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka) Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are on course to make the payments for cattle compensation depending on the resources that have been made available to us. In this quarter, we were given Shs 9 billion. I am picking the numbers off-cuff, but I will present a written report later. In the last cycle, Omoro and Kumi did not get any compensation because their processes had not been completed and they missed out on about Shs 1.27 billion on the first payment. In this quarter, they have been allocated Shs 1.27 billion from the last quarter, and then the remaining Shs 6.8 billion has been prorated among the people who are supposed to receive this money. We have sent to every district, the list of the beneficiaries, who have been verified to receive payments in this quarter. As soon as those lists come back and the payments are made, as is our practice, we shall lay on the Table the report for this payment.

Seconded? Who is shouting on procedure? Is it seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Silwany, Hon. Kabanda, Hon. Ayoo – honourable members, can you all sit down. The committee chairperson has presented the report with very good recommendations that would help all of you. Even where they are telling Hon. Kibalya to fundraise for Namwendwa is covered here. You would be able to get money here. The minister has made amendments. He is the one responsible for the ministry. We are saying that we can talk from here but there is no money. What is going to happen? The minister is going to negotiate and comes up with a supplementary budget for the new cities to be operationalised. You will find constituencies cut out of cities like Omoro also suffering. Such constituencies also need to be supported. You want to continue talking - what is your amendment?

Madam Speaker, what the honourable member is raising is true. We interacted with the leadership of Omoro, and it is part of the Shs 5 billion the minister is requesting, for the subcounties.

9656 DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION over the last couple of years, engrossed in runaway corruption, a general decline in the standard of living and malfeasance, no concrete policy direction to address the pressing needs of the citizenry, was presented. A crisis of this nature demands urgent action, and sound leadership and direction. On 31 March 2023, we presented at the Opposition Budget Conference themed: “Rethinking Uganda’s Economy: A Human Rights Approach”, in which we outlined our key budget priorities and policy alternatives. I wish to appraise this House that I have since been on the trail of a countrywide oversight, monitoring the extent of implementation of key Government programmes, as mandated of me by the Constitution and our Rules of Procedure. I will, at an opportune moment, exhaustively report to this House on my key findings. In the same light, Madam Speaker, more in doing right than departing from the arbitrary norm, this year, the Opposition in Parliament opts to respond by highlighting the prevailing state of affairs, vis-à-vis what the President presented. Therefore, the LOP’s response has taken a human rights-based approach to the nation’s state of affairs and development. We are guided by the unquestionable truth that human rights embody the key values of freedom, fairness, dignity, equality and respect. They are valid, as they guarantee freedom of choice and expression, and the rights to basic needs necessary for full development and enjoyment of rights, including education, water, sanitation, food, health and housing. They are an important means of protection for us all, especially those who may face abuse, neglect and isolation by people or entities that are more powerful. Furthermore, human rights inform the relationship that exists between individuals and their governments, distinguishing between every human being, and governmental and non-governmental actors obligated to respect, protect and fulfill these rights. Sadly, Madam Speaker, the sitting Government has failed to address the pressing needs of our society, which ultimately tantamount to the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms which include the right to decide who shall govern the people of Uganda and how they should be governed - That is through regular, free and fair elections of their representatives. On a valid and current note, the ugly reality of malpractice in the recent by-election in Oyam North is still fresh in our minds, as it is disturbing. This is in light of the fact that our kin in the neighbourhood in Omoro, just a year ago, are still aghast of how the military could shamelessly visit violence on the unarmed voters at Lalogi, just to ensure that a candidate with sympathy from the powers that be wins an election to replace a noble man –

9419 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 2023 Our people in the countryside depend on health centres II and health centres III, which are in the parishes and subcounties. When these health facilities go without drugs, our population suffer a lot. In our area, if I may take Omoro as an example, for the last three months, most health facilities have gone without drugs. You ask yourself: what is happening? The report has alerted us that the problem has been non-payment to NMS by the Ministry of Health. Something needs to be done so that NMS is efficient in their work. Secondly, when some of these drugs are taken to the health facilities and they do not last long, by getting expired, it is very expensive to transport them back to NMS because, by law, the health facilities are not allowed to dispose them off. So, this creates a lot of problems. Something needs to be done so that the health system is efficient in this country. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am raising a matter regarding 43 secondary school headteachers who were interviewed in 2021. However, up to now, these teachers of seed secondary schools have not been given their appointment letters by the Ministry of Education and Sports, whereas their colleagues - over 100 - were deployed. There are cases in places such as Kitgum, Omoro and Bugiri. These were caretaker headteachers of these schools for about five to six years. Unfortunately, one of them, after having heard that he was not taken by the ministry, developed high blood pressure and died – His name was Ronald Nabamba from Namungo Seed Secondary School in Mityana. My prayer is that the Ministry of Education and Sports gives these teachers their appointment letters and deploys them because this is a budget-free issue, which does not require any additional money; money is always there for the headteachers. The issue of saying that they were teachers and they absconded is a matter that the ministry should have handled before they were interviewed. They should be taken on because there are precedents that some people, who were on the payroll, were interviewed and deployed. The Minister of Education and Sports should intervene. Otherwise, it is likely to be a court matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am raising a matter regarding 43 secondary school headteachers who were interviewed in 2021. However, up to now, these teachers of seed secondary schools have not been given their appointment letters by the Ministry of Education and Sports, whereas their colleagues - over 100 - were deployed. There are cases in places such as Kitgum, Omoro and Bugiri. These were caretaker headteachers of these schools for about five to six years. Unfortunately, one of them, after having heard that he was not taken by the ministry, developed high blood pressure and died – His name was Ronald Nabamba from Namungo Seed Secondary School in Mityana. My prayer is that the Ministry of Education and Sports gives these teachers their appointment letters and deploys them because this is a budget-free issue, which does not require any additional money; money is always there for the headteachers. The issue of saying that they were teachers and they absconded is a matter that the ministry should have handled before they were interviewed. They should be taken on because there are precedents that some people, who were on the payroll, were interviewed and deployed. The Minister of Education and Sports should intervene. Otherwise, it is likely to be a court matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I support the motion and I would like to register condolence to the family. I first met the deceased in the Committee on Appointments and in the committee, some of us thought he was still a serving soldier but when he submitted all his documents, we discovered he had been serving as an LCV chairperson for some good time and he took up that ministry, he served very diligently. Madam Speaker, there was an election in Omoro, when I was still the Democratic Party (DP) whip, and my President was Nobert Mao, who left recently. We went for that campaign-

Either he left me or I left him. When we went to Omoro for Pamela’s campaign, the late minister came with his vehicles and security. So, I became tough and said, “Now, these people are going to lose this election” because a serving minister was campaigning with the Government vehicles”. Fortunately, with command and respect, I talked to one of his officers and said “Please tell the minister he cannot be here with a Government vehicle during campaigns”. What was very beautiful - and respect I command to the deceased is that he directed his official vehicle and army to move away. He walked diligently and left the campaign rally. We were covering; taking all our recordings which became nugatory at the end of the day because he behaved diligently. When you talk about him as a serving soldier - sincerely from that very time as a backbencher, he feared me because as a Member of Parliament, I ensured that his official vehicle was removed from the campaign rally. Madam Speaker, I am on record and it is well known that I taught in the army for 10 years. When you talk about Gen. Mugira and others, I know them. With Lt Gen. Mugira, sometimes we speak the same language. The issue I would like to emphasise has been said by Dr Abed Bwanika. Let us go back to the norms of the army. I do not agree with the idea of

8583 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023 was moved by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to pay tribute to our senior colleague ; Col (Rtd) Okello Engola Macodwogo. I would like to convey my condolences, that of my family and the people of Omoro District to the bereaved family of our fallen brother, Col Okello Engola Macodwogo. Madam Speaker, from what has been talked about in the House this afternoon about Okello Engola, the testimonies are: one is that he is above self and two, serving for the common need of our people. Hon. Okello Engola chose to serve in the military and grew from the lowest rank up to the rank of a colonel, serving in the military field, a department of service that is very risky. He did it very diligently and we are benefiting as a region from the outcome of his service. He has been a pacifier. Madam Speaker, while he served as the 501 Brigade Commander in Opit - Opit is in Omoro District and it neighbors Oyam District. The people of Omoro District have expressed sympathy for the loss of this gallant son. The people of Lango, Opit and Omoro District know the very meaning of Macodwogo because they are direct beneficiaries. I wish to end and quote the words of Scott Hildreth. He said, “ The value of a person’s life is measured by the amount of people they touch in living it. ” From the efforts of Okello Engola by ensuring that we receive peace in the region, he was able to touch so many lives, particularly of the vulnerable people; the women and the children. Madam Speaker, when he was serving as the LC V Chairperson Oyam District that was the time I got to know him better. I was the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Pader District and he was the LCV Chairperson of Apac District. We were in a meeting discussing Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF II) that time and he spoke very passionately on ensuring that we support livelihood component of the people that have returned home. So, I picked interest to know who this man was. I am not surprised with eulogies Members are giving about Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo. Indeed, we have lost a great man, a man with great humility. There is a word Hon. Okello Engola told me when we were in our campaigns for the first time by-elections in Omoro when I came to Parliament. I did not know Hon. Ssewungu, who has confessed today was in the team of Hon. Mao campaigning on the other side. I was the candidate on the side of Okello Engola with Hon. Mao hitting us badly but Okello Engola told me one thing that when they found him, Hon. Mao entered the rally that he was addressing. When they started throwing words at him, he kept quiet and did not answer. I was wondering: what kind of military man is this? He did not respond to them. I asked him: “What should we do?” He said: “You are a candidate, just sneak from behind and disappear. Let me deal with the situation.” It did not take long. After about six minutes, I got a call from another subcounty – Lalogi – which was about seven kilometres away, that Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo was already in Lalogi Subcounty. He left Hon. Mao and team in that very place. That was humility. Humility takes you to greater heights. I appeal to honourable colleagues that we are all in positions of leadership and are serving this country: what shall we be remembered for? I wish to express my condolences, again, to the bereaved family of Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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t Min.3- Considcration of Policy Strtcmetrb and Budgct Estimetcs FY 2023/2024 by Universitics The Permanent Secretary presented the respective Policy Statements and budget Estimales for the Ministry of Education and Sports for the Financial Year 202312024. [See attachmcnts for detailsl O bse natio ns/ Iss ues ra ised The Contmittee sought to establith' a) The budget estimates by the Ministry ofEducation and Sports are considered in all. b) 'l'he reason as to why senior three students have not gotten instruction materials to date. c) Whether New vision is publishing the right content of the new materials. d) Whether National Curriculum Development Centre has a general mandatc to avail instructional materials. e) An account as to why seed schools are majorly givcn to Ministers. fl An account as to why there is delay in coding of some schools. g) Whether there is equal distribution of secd schools in all constituencies inthc Country. h) An account as to why money for seed schools is not allocated in regard to some sub countrcs for cxamplc in Omoro Constituency where one ofthe seed schools uses polyhene bags to cover the windows of the building where the equipment is kept. i) An account as to why thcre is delay in the constructton of Bunyoto University. j) Whcthcr thcre is any solution in regard to the rcfugees in Kibaale as they have caused influx in schools. k) An account as to whcn thc program by Wodd Bank to build schools in Kibaale will bcgin. Min.{- Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at l7:00pm to 25dApril 2023 at 10:00am Confirmed by, Recorded by: [fl.,nu Ninsiima Diana Oleny COMMITTEE CLERI( Twesigye John Ntam lra. CHAIRPE,RSON

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to thank the chairperson for the report, especially the bit that captures the issue of cattle compensation. The second aspect is around the magistrate courts. We have new administrative units, whereby if a crime is committed, for example, in Omoro, you have to travel 40 plus kilometres to seek justice. I had hoped to hear from the chairperson regarding new administrative units. What is the plan for the new financial year regarding the new magistrate courts?

Mr Speaker, I am about to conclude. As the country grapples with the impact of climate change, continuous afforestation programmes and smart agriculture practices are the preferred options to mitigate these impacts. I, therefore, call upon honourable colleagues to support the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Forestry Authority’s efforts to restore these forests. Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Member of Parliament for Omoro, raised a concern that Moroto Road (Gulu-Opit-Rackoko-Patongo- Abim-Moroto), which is the backbone of Omoro District and many other districts in Acholi, Lango and Karamoja sub-regions is currently non-motorable. His prayer was: what are the Government’s plan to; (i) Maintain Moroto Road? (ii) Upgrade Moroto Road to acceptable standards as envisaged in the NRM Manifesto? My response is that the Gulu-Opit-Rackoko- Patongo-Abim-Moroto Road is a national road, under the management of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), and the road is currently under maintenance. Although the road was not listed in National Development Plan III, it is a priority road as stated by His Excellency the President in his pledges. As such, the road has been identified for development. Design for the upgrading of this road is scheduled to commence in Financial Year 2023/2024. I wish to inform the honourable members that the Gulu-Opit-Rackoko- Patongo-Abim-Moroto Road is a priority road and it is the plan of the Government to upgrade it to acceptable standards. Hon. Geoffrey Macho, MP Busia Municipality, was concerned about regular load shedding, which had adversely affected service delivery in Busia Municipality. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, I got a question from Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Member of Parliament for Omoro County. He would like to seek guidance from Government and an update on the status of the compensation of Omoro war debt claimants. He said the people of Omoro were yet to receive their compensation from the Government. His prayer was that I update the House on the compensation of the war debt claimants of Omoro. Madam Speaker, my response is that on 26 March 2022, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda launched payments for war debt claimants and beneficiaries for cattle lost in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso at Soroti University grounds, Soroti City. Following the launch, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs started processing payments of livestock compensation for beneficiaries and claimants in the sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. A total of 92,634 data cards, in triplicate copies, were distributed to the 29 districts in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. The data cards were distributed as follows: 45.4 per cent (42,024) to the districts of the Lango sub- region, 36.3 per cent (33,664) to the districts of Teso sub-region and 18.3 per cent (16,946) to the districts of Acholi sub-region. Madam Speaker, by 30 June 2022, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had received 33,017 (35.64 per cent) livestock claimants and beneficiaries records, out of the 92,634 data cards submitted. Omoro District had submitted hardcopy data cards accompanied by soft copy information. However, when the data cards were subjected to verification, the ministry realised that the data cards had been wrongly filled, that is to say, each claimant/beneficiary had filled triplicate copies, each with a different serial number (0001, 0002 and 0003) instead of a set of triplicate data cards bearing the same serial number (0001, 0001 and 0001). The ministry procured 2,000 new data cards from Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, which were sent to Omoro District for the claimants/beneficiaries to fill in, again. A total of 1,258 data cards were resubmitted by Omoro District in July 2022 and have since been verified. Madam Speaker, this current Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has allocated Shs 30 billion to pay verified and validated war debt claimants/beneficiaries in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, the Woman MP Kapchorwa District, raised a matter concerning lack of water in Kapchorwa District and the need for Government to fulfill a presidential PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I have heard the minister make a presentation of services under the disaster ministry. However, I would like to inform the minister that I did not hear anything about the distribution of food to our children who are suffering from the Nodding syndrome. These are no longer children, Madam Speaker; they are now youth who are becoming very wild in the community. I would like to report that in December, one of them hit his father to death. There were three in the family affected by this disease, but one boy - something came to his mind; he took a log and hit the father on the head. According to medical personnel, these children like to eat food most of the time and so when the parent fails to provide food, they get into trouble. This also gives me time to alert the Government that maybe at a certain time, we need to begin thinking about having rehabilitation centres. Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader and part of Omoro districts are affected. Where are we going to put these boys and girls who are a little bit mad and do not understand themselves? They will start raping girls and women on the way. We need to start thinking about that because they are not a few people; they are really many. Nonetheless, for now, I want to hear from the state minister whether there is food going to be given to them because normally, they give food to the parents. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and my sister, Santa. We have been giving relief items to the Nodding Syndrome children in Omoro, Pader and all the affected districts, PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Okupa]

7723 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 The late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah started the Dano Pa Dano Foundation, which has empowered communities within and without Omoro by supporting their income- generating activities and mind-set change. The late still challenges the 11 th Parliament. Upon being sworn in as the Speaker, he had this to say, “Honourable members, the next five years of Parliament should not be like the last five years. There are things that we must change. We have to restore public confidence in this institution.” Before I conclude, permit me, in a very special way, to salute the top three leaders of Parliament - the Rt Hon. Speaker, the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker and the honourable Clerk to Parliament for emulating two traits of the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob Oulanyah: the principle of timekeeping. To the late, 2.00 p.m. was 2.00 p.m. To the current leadership of Parliament, 2.00 p.m. is 2.00 p.m. I need to salute you for that. (Applause) I also want to salute you for upholding one of the philosophies that the late believed in and that is the philosophy of Ubuntu - “I am because we are.” All three of you practise the Ubuntu philosophy. Salutations To Parliament for all the support that you rendered and continue to render to the family of the late Speaker. We salute you for the contribution you made towards the Foundation. On a personal note, as I conclude, permit me to salute the late for one, lecturing me while I was a student at the Law Development Centre and two, supervising me while doing clerkship at Lira Chief Magistrate Court. Forever, I will be grateful to him. On behalf of Government and the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, I beg to submit and to respectfully move. Thank you.

7724 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Mr Ssewungu] Rt Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah - the former Speaker of Parliament. We remember the passing of an honourable gentleman, caring family head and national leader. On a personal note, I join so many who saw a true friend in Jacob. As Parliament, we lost an iconic Speaker with the ability to see a debate in the House with sobriety, maturity and mastery of the Rules of Procedure. Remembering the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah’s thoughts and ideas continue to give strength to many of us in leadership. We draw inspiration from his vision and values and resolve to imbibe his ideals in our lives. We remember him for his orderliness, timeliness, impeccable humility and his unique unifying nature, which placed him in a special part of people’s hearts. Further to note, on his last day as the Deputy Speaker in the 10 th Parliament, the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah set a good example when, with humility, he handed over all instruments of power to the accounting officer of Parliament and left the building as a backbench Member of Parliament. As we celebrate and applaud his great character and lessons learnt, let us not be selective and pick what seems convenient to us. We ought to emulate every good thing we saw in this great legislator. As we commemorate the death of an advocate for justice and equity, I wish to remind you that upon his death, this distinguished leader in the spirit of fairness, left behind a matter he passionately intended to provide leadership over - rule 25(2)(1) that regards the processing of a statement by Shadow Cabinet ministers. He wished to amend this rule so that the statement laid by a shadow minister becomes rather impactful and not just a ritual, and he referred it to the Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline. To date, more than a year later, the matter is still outstanding. I take this opportunity to urge the committee and the leadership of Parliament to complete what the late Speaker started. Mr Speaker, at the special sitting, where Parliament passed a resolution paying tribute to the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, I beseeched the Government to improve our healthcare system and serve the common person. To date, the system is still a trap to both the practitioners and the patients. No serious step has been taken towards progressive realisation. I further indicated that we would initiate a Presidential succession law. However, we realised that we need constitutional reforms that will comprehensively address the governance challenges our country is entangled in. On our part, we have moved significant steps regarding this task. We shall lay our views to the public at the earliest. As I conclude, I would like to challenge my colleague, the Leader of Government Business to be faithful to the promises the Government made to the people of Omoro when the late died. May his soul continue resting in eternal peace.” I beg to move.

Respect, Mr Speaker. I will struggle not to call you Madam because we are now used to “Madam Speaker.” But Mr Speaker, I hope I will not go to that extent. I wish to bring memories; they may not be fond memories, but the late was my O.B. I am happy to learn that I have another O.B; possibly, he was behind us in Makerere. The Bagisu say that a chick that will grow into a big cock is spotted while still young; we saw that in the late. Today, I sit in the same Parliament with our son we saw growing. Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, there are people in this House who were with your father and the people of Omoro. We knew him, we knew he would come up and his start was very good. Whoever was in Makerere at the time can vividly remember on that black Monday - I wish the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was here because he caused us a problem. I had been his campaign manager at the time for his guild presidency, and we suffered the brunt.

Mr Speaker, the late Oulanyah thought I was the biological brother to his late wife, Dorothy, because we resembled a lot. True, we are all Bagisu - and today, I am here for the Bagisu, to show that we stand together with the family and the people of Omoro. Lastly, like John Elton eulogised Princess Diana, Andrew and the people for Omoro, John Elton said, “He is gone, but gone with the wind”. May he Rest in Peace. He has been promoted to glory, as the rastas say. Thank you.

A minute. “…Your vote and your husband’s vote” – (Interjections) – My husband is Dr Byakatonda, the Workers MP. I told him, “Yes. For you, I will toe the party line and now that you are the party candidate, I am going to support you”. He just laughed it off. Indeed, I voted him. We shall miss him, but Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the people of Omoro for appreciating and supporting our brother, and further appreciating him by voting his dear son. (Applause) May God bless you.

Thank you. Colleagues, on Sunday, we are supposed to be in Omoro commemorating with the family and the people of Omoro. I hope we shall go in big numbers [Member rose_] not on special motions where we are paying tribute. However, if there is a matter for order – if you see anything disorderly in the House, let me know. Before I allowed you, I had picked Hon. Kahonda. Nevertheless, speak first, and then he comes on before Hon. Peace Mutuuzo.

7736 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Dr Baryomunsi] family, the people of Omoro, the people of northern Uganda and, indeed, Ugandans and humanity because his influence and impact went beyond this country. Hon. Ssemujju raised the issue of the cause of death. We explained it in fair details at that time, but I just want to repeat that by the time we buried him, the cause of death question had been settled; he died of cancer. Mr Speaker, I, together with Hon. Kiwanda, had the opportunity to visit Jacob at his house before he was flown to the US. We visited him on behalf of the NRM party. We had a discussion. He had –(Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, from that time - I really want to thank you and the Speaker of Parliament, for remembering this day, because we resolved here but I thought it had been forgotten. So, I want to thank you for that. Secondly, I would like to thank the people of Omoro, for electing my brother, Hon. Andrew Oulanyah, to extend the legacy of the late. (Applause) , I salute you, the people of Omoro. This man may not fit well into his late father’s shoes, but be patient with him. I am very sure by the time he serves his third term, he will be already there to fulfil all the desires of the late. (Laughter) May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to support the motion and to say a few things about the late Rt Hon. Speaker with whom I had the opportunity to study and so, to know well during the days when we were at school. I want to thank this Parliament for giving me the opportunity to look after him and in a special way, the family and the people of Omoro, who gave me the opportunity to look after him. Mr Speaker, I also thank you for the opportunity you gave me to go to visit him during his last days, just to hold his hand and pray with him before he breathed his last. The Rt Hon. Oulanyah was a good friend. He called me “Aceng” not “Honourable” or “Minister.” For us, back home, when somebody calls you by your surname, it means they deeply love and care for you. That is the relationship I had with him. The Rt Hon. Oulanyah supported the health sector in very many ways. As people in the health sector, we have a weakness; we do not know how to explain things in a language that people can understand. Many times, when I would be going out, I would call him and say, “But Rt Hon. Oulanyah, why don’t you come with me and explain to the people?” He took off time to explain issues of family planning, women’s health and malaria to the people. At the end of every – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. He would ask me, “Did I do what you wanted me to do?” I would say, “Yes.” I will miss him! Now let me give a little information to the people of Omoro. I know they are here. There are many projects that he had started. There

7746 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Dr Aceng] are many projects that I went to do with him in Omoro and he talked about them. I know Hon. Andrew Oulanyah here has the responsibility to see that they come to an end. We shall work on them together when this Parliament gives me money. Thank you.

7749 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 issue of processing Bills at the end of the term of Parliament. I remember the last word that I had with him was on how we saved work, which was about to collapse because the term of office had collapsed and he gave a ruling. I want to urge you, Mr Speaker, to help us to quicken all the Bills, which are in the pipeline so that by the time we close, no Bill(s) is caught up. Another matter was about NUSAF IV; he was passionate about it - an affirmative action for the Greater North because the people of the Greater North are really yearning for that equality; we are doing it badly. The silence of Government on NUSAF IV has become very loud and Government needs to speak on it. Finally, he was a man of fun; he loved to have fun. For instance, when we celebrated Christmas days, he loved Lingala . I loved it when he, Hon. Lyandro Komakech, Hon. Okupa together and I, would take to the floor to dance. He had that kind of cap; I do not know how they call it - (Interjection)– yes, that one - (Interjection)- he was the best. Colleagues, take time and listen to this because all the presentations you have been making were about issues that were formal, but I am talking about his other life. Whenever we passed the Budget and we went to the gardens to have fun, was when you would see the real Jacob, the man from Omoro; a man of sense and peace, at the same time. He would express himself by his face, but not uttering words on the microphone when he was in the Chair. He came to the seat when we were at the tent because he was demanding for something to be expunged from the record of Parliament. So, I realised that records that go to the Hansard are very important. He was keen; he came and sat until the Speaker said, “We are going to expunge what you want to be expunged from this.” Therefore, whatever goes on record is very important. I request, through you, Mr Speaker, that sometimes, we make mistakes and beg that you be merciful to us not to utter words that go to the Hansard and hurt us later. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking you, in a special way. When we had prayers at All Saints Church in Kampala, you led a team of Members of Parliament and you spoke on behalf of Parliament. Mr Speaker, you have said rightly that when the body of Jacob Oulanyah was about to go to Omoro, you were the first, as our principal, to be on ground and put everything right. We did not have the opportunity to say, “thank you.” Today, I want to use this platform to say a big thank you to you for loving the family and taking lead in the preparations during the send-off.

7755 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 We appreciate that some of us are in this Parliament because of the good work that Jacob Oulanyah did in our constituencies. I am one of them and there are many others in the Acholi subregion. Like my brother, Hon. Gilbert Olanya said, when he became the NRM Chairperson for Northern region representing Members of Parliament at CEC, the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah would leave his constituency and sleep in people’s constituencies, mobilise for them and ensured that they made it. I remember he came to his constituency last when it was only two days to elections. Mr Speaker, I am one of those who have never believed that Jacob Oulanyah is gone. At times, I sit and think he is doing some Government assignment elsewhere and will come back one day to sit in that Chair. However, a year down the road, he is no longer with us. We pray that the legacy he has left and the mentorship that he did - We are very proud of him. I would like to thank, in the most sincere way, the people of Omoro District and especially his constituency. When we were deployed under instructions to ensure that my brother, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah replaces his dad, we went and did the assignment. It was very simple for everybody who was deployed there. The people of Omoro said, “We want to reward Jacob Oulanyah with his son.” I am very proud that the people of Omoro, watching us from home and here, listened to the cry of Parliament. May God continue to guide the family, especially my brother here. We will stand with him to ensure that he makes his dad proud. We are here as his product. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the Lord that this has happened in front of the voters from Mitooma. They have seen what has happened and they should learn from the people of Omoro. They lost a gallant son and replaced him with Andrew, in whom they have hope to deliver. I wish that the members from Mitooma could emulate what happened and keep Hon. Tayebwa in Parliament and wait for Rubanda Mayonza to also grow up.

7761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 we are doing here could be temporary, but you will still go back to your families. There was a time he called me at about 6.00 p.m. I had already left home and he asked me, Andrew - due to Parliamentary procedure, I cannot say “ Ole” as they say in the Luo language. He said, “Why don’t you call me?” I said, “I know your schedule. I know when you are in the House and when in the constituency. I know wherever you are.” He then said, “So, you know when not to call? Call, I will find the missed call”. He loved his family very much and if they could share their stories, you would hear from Aunt Harriet who is in the gallery. She still sheds tears up to now because they were so close. To-date, she is still mourning, but we are all mourning as a house. From today’s scripture of Joshua 1:7-8, we are told to be strong and courageous. As legislators, there is no higher call than that because you are going to step on peoples’ toes, but you have to be bold and courageous and stand your ground. I want to appreciate the House for this recent enactment that took courage. It took boldness and I want to applaud the House under this leadership for that. I would not be fair if I did not give thanks for all the support that I have got; for all the support that the family has got, and for all the support along the way. Allow me to thank the Executive that has been with us from the start. I cannot thank them enough. (Applause) I also thank Parliament, the leadership and all the Members here. When he passed on, you gave us hope. You came to the constituency, you campaigned with us and you rallied support for your comrade’s son and we do not take that for granted. Not just that, you also contributed money for education because he loved education. He believed that through education, we could get somewhere as Northern Uganda, which has been at war for over 20 years. Education is the only key at the moment because the land is there, but to use it, you need to have skills. That is why he loved education. I want to appreciate you all for the support that you gave us. You have given hope to the next generation of leaders. I want to appreciate the Judiciary because the Judiciary, through the Chief Justice, has stood with us. He is the current Chair of the Education Trust Fund that you all contributed handsomely to. I want to thank you all for that. Omoro District is represented here. I would not be doing them justice if I did not thank them. However, I also want to voice a few concerns on what he stood for. He stood for five things: education, economic empowerment, health, infrastructure development and agriculture. All those issues are cross-cutting in Uganda. They are not issues of just Omoro and I believe that if we addressed them in terms of funding and priority, we could bring meaningful change to the country. I thank you all for this moment. We are honoured as a family. We are honoured as Omoro District and as Omoro County; we are deeply humbled because most times when a person dies, that is the end of the chapter. You have sacrificed your own legacies to sustain another person’s legacy. I want to thank you for that humility. You have shown a tremendous sign of humility. All in all, we have a duty to this country and we are duty-bound to make sure Parliament is people-centred and authoritative; that the mother who is carrying jerrycans can be catered for in our legislation. I want to thank you. For God and my country.

Mr Speaker, I would like to begin by apologising to Parliament for coming late. It is not my norm, but because of the other duties - I would like to begin by, first of all, thanking the leadership of Parliament for honouring the family of the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori. I would also like to thank the people of Omoro for entrusting my brother, Hon. Andrew Oulanyah, to be the Member of Parliament who replaced his late dad. I think we need to clap for them. (Applause) Mr Speaker, if I am to speak about my personal friend, I might take the whole day because I came to know Hon. Oulanyah in the Ninth Parliament when we were in a bus heading to State House, Entebbe, for the parliamentary caucus elections. Hon. Oulanyah carried his own posters. During the caucus meeting in Entebbe, Hon. Oulanyah singlehandedly carried his own posters and started distributing them. Some of you are here, colleagues - Hon. Oulanyah did one thing for himself and it was what defined him. The statements and oratory speech the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori presented was what made him the Deputy Speaker of the Ninth Parliament. (Applause) What am I trying to say here today? The person we are talking about was God-given, chosen and knew what he wanted at a certain time. Many people have talked about who Oulanyah was, but I am crying for my friend. I want, on behalf of his friends, to say one thing: where Hon. Oulanyah hurt you, forgive him. I want this to go on the Hansard . At the time we needed to liberate this Parliament, I campaigned for Hon. Oulanyah. I am happy you know it and I am proud of it. (Applause) I am happy my friend never let me down. I am happy our friend never let us down. The fundamental question to you and me is: what will it be when you are no more? Hon. Oulanyah was not corrupt. That is the Speaker we knew. Hon. Mwijukye is here and we were in the Parliamentary Commission. Hon. Oulanyah never misused the institution called Parliament for personal gain. Hon. Oulanyah died a poor man, even when he was in a privileged position. The fundamental question to all of us is: are we living this kind of life, especially during this trying moment? As Members have all said, Hon. Oulanyah was a God-fearing person. I want to say to us here that in whatever we do, we must put God first. It is true and you correctly said it - My friend called me and I did not know he was sick. It was a Friday and he told me, “Come to my house at 10 o’clock.” Unfortunately, I came late by an hour. (Laughter)

7763 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 Mr Speaker, I can speak and continue to speak, but as a friend, I know what Hon. Oulanyah did to me. He supported me. He came to Ngariam not once, not twice. That was Hon. Oulanyah. As long as he identified something in you, he would stand with you. Hon. Oulanyah was a friend in bad or good times. I do not know who we are today. As I conclude, I want to say the following: one, I am a member of the Executive and I am happy I sit in Cabinet. For the record, I request that my President helps the family of Hon. Oulanyah to complete the project he started in Omoro. (Applause) Two, the family - Hon. Andrew is here. I know we are friends at such times, but when we are no more, we are good at these speeches. Hon. Andrew, I will never let you down and you know it. I was in Omoro and I asked Andrew, “How is Atim?” Do you know the words my friend told me when he was leaving his bedroom? “Call Atim”. He did not want to leave his room. I do not know where Atim is -

Mr Speaker, let me start with a disclaimer. When I left home, I decided that in today’s sitting, I will not speak. However, when I reached office, coming to around lunchtime, I was called that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister would not be here and that she had delegated me in writing. I know what happened to my brother, Hon. Peter Ogwang, could have happened to me. Those memories will always be there. Sitting and listening to the humble testimonies from the honourable members, I was comforted. I asked myself, in this posthumous motion, the late Speaker led the Anglican Community in Parliament as the patron. What Bible verse would I dedicate to him, even when he does not live with us? I found the answer in the book of Psalm 112:6 where the Bible says: “Surely, the righteous will never be shaken. They will be remembered forever.” The testimonies, honourable colleagues, that we have made here today about the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, fondly known in Acholi as “Oulanyah Lanywen”, is affirmation of a righteous man. It is affirmation of a man that we will live to remember forever. I know that in this Parliament, one thing that also brought him and I together was the fact that each and every time I stood, he would refer to me as “Ajuri”. He never called me “Obua” or “Dennis” or “Hamson.” What we share in common is that the late Speaker comes from a village called Ajuri. The constituency I represent is Ajuri County. The second thing in common is that the constituency and district he represented is called Omoro. In Ajuri County where I represent, there is a subcounty called “Omoro”. These are some of the few things that we shared in common. To the family of the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, his foundation was unity of purpose. We want to see you united today, tomorrow and forever. Your dad stood for unity of purpose and we want you to get united for a particular purpose. Your dad believed in team spirit - he believed that together, everyone achieves more. My young brother, Hon. Ojok, as the heir of the family, you need to ensure that there is team spirit. I want to thank you that so far, so good. To the people of Omoro who are here in the gallery and those who are watching, we want to thank you for electing our young brother and the son to the late, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah. Our humble appeal to you is that Ojok is a young man – In the culture of Acholi, you say “Julu” literally meaning “who must be nurtured or mentored”. Please, keep Andrew as your Member of Parliament. This is our humble appeal. (Applause) If there is something wrong, do not move somewhere and start talking bad about him. Some of us are here to mentor him. The Deputy Speaker is here to mentor him in leadership. The Rt Hon. Speaker is here to mentor him. We are very many here, including the Leader of the Opposition. If you feel that something is wrong, he is a young man; you can call and advise him. This is our humble appeal to you such that the legacy of the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah lives forever.

7767 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 Even in this position, I cannot know how to manage you if I do not read or if I do not watch how other Speakers in the other jurisdictions work, or if I do not go back to correct my mistakes. If you have spoken on the Floor, tomorrow look for that Hansard online and read what you said. Did what you spoke on the Floor have any bearing? Did it, in any way, influence the resolution of the House or is it just on the record that you spoke? You know how there can be a serious programme going on and someone calls to send greetings in the midst of a programme. (Laughter) You can be listening to a very serious programme on radio and someone calls in the midst of the programme to send greetings. (Laughter) Are your submissions on the Floor to send greetings to your constituents or not? You have to read. Honourable colleagues, I request that if we want to be quality debaters - the way Jacob wanted us to be – and if we do not want the public to judge us harshly, we have to be disciplined. The other day, I saw a trending picture and I want to assign the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline to look into this - how our colleagues looked on Zoom when we were debating the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This was a CNN anchor. There were some Members in vests and t-shirts while others were with their children and attending Parliament. I would like to assign the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline to look and see if there is any gap and we work it out with our ICT department. Please - and now I give a directive to the ICT department - any Member who comes on Zoom , wearing a t-shirt and playing with children should be off because the public is watching and people are taking screenshots of you on Zoom and it is embarrassing us. I believe each one of us can learn from this experience. There is no bad experience; any experience can be turned into an opportunity. Let us go and learn to read, concentrate and listen because for most of you, sometimes, when someone is speaking, you do not want to listen. How will you know what he has contributed and how will you debate if you cannot listen? I want to thank you for that. To the family of the late Rt Hon. Speaker, Parliament is still with you. You are forever part of the Parliament family. (Applause) Colleagues, the foundation is still on. Those who can contribute anything to the foundation, do not think you gave your Shs 1 million and that foundation will live forever, no. If you can, drop something in that foundation. It is in very good hands; the Speaker is involved, the Chairperson is the Chief Justice, Hon. Mao and the family - It has been able to support the children that the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was supporting. Therefore, I want to urge you to continue supporting the family. On Sunday, in Omoro, we shall commemorate and many activities have been going on. On Saturday, there is motorcross and the Bikers are riding all the way from Kampala to Omoro, and you are represented by our very own Hon. Jimmy Akena, among the riders. Today, the preacher at the service in the morning was our very own Hon. Bwanika. We have a multiplicity of talent in this House. Let us put them on display, it helps us to build unity. To the family, we want to keep praying to God to keep watching over you and healing you, and for Jacob’s soul to continue resting in eternal peace. Colleagues, I put the question that a motion for a resolution of Parliament to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of the late Rt Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, the former Speaker of the 11 th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.)

Thank you very much. Due to the sensitivity of yesterday’s exercise, in your communication, Madam Speaker, you made mention about tomorrow’s exercise of paying tribute to our fallen comrade, the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. It is my humble prayer that the programme is shared. Otherwise, I am told there are people travelling from Omoro to come and attend tomorrow’s exercise. I request that the programme is shared with us so that we know what will happen tomorrow. Secondly, in your communication, you talked about doing a lot for our communities, which is a call to all of us. I am aware that last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries supported Members of Parliament with seeds. How I wish the same can be extended as soon as possible so that we can utilise the rains. I submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Like I had said, out of the loan of $110 million, $22.5 million was earmarked for infrastructure - to improve infrastructure in 81 health facilities. This was divided into six lots. The lot in question is Lot 6, which was worth $24 billion - VAT inclusive. The contractor was BMK. They were supposed to construct maternity units and extras like pit latrines and placenta pits in 14 health facilities in West Nile and in Northern Uganda. The duration of the project was 16 months and it was supposed to commence on 15 March 2021, upon signing of the project contract. However, site handover was delayed to May 2021. The contract was supposed to run till 30 September 2022. The supervising architect was KK Partnership Architects. The Ministry of Health advanced 30 per cent of the total contract sum totalling to about Shs 6 billion to BMK to enable them mobilise and bring equipment to the site and start preliminary construction. BMK provided performance security in the form of a bank guarantee worth approximately Shs 6 billion and environmental and social safety guarantees of approximately Shs 1.9 billion, respectively. The objective of our visit, as a committee - which was very important - was to ascertain the physical progress of the works, among others. We had received many complaints from the citizens of West Nile and Northern Uganda, but most importantly, the politicians, about the delayed progress. In other parts of the country, they were 80 per cent and in this particular area, they had not yet reached even 50 per cent, yet we were running out of time. The committee also conducted a financial and legal analysis of the project to have a holistic scrutiny of the project. The sites visited were Panyimur in Pakwach, Kuchwiny in Nebbi, Kochi in Yumbe, Lobule in Koboko, Oluvu in Maracha, Awoo in Omoro, Akura in Alebtong, Anyangatir in Lira City and Kamdini in Oyam. Key findings from the field visit The committee found that on average, the civil works in nine sites ranged from between 55 per [Dr Ayume] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee chairperson and the team for a fantastic report. I agree with the findings on the ground because I was in Omoro last week with the team from the Office of the President and the findings are very similar to what you have reported. I thank you and commend you for the report. Mr Speaker, the recurring issue is this hybrid contract, which we have had discussions over. The districts, as mentioned in the report, are not able to do any supervision because of those limitations. They feel privileged to be in the constituencies. It is my prayer that we adopt the report as is, including the amendments. We appreciate the work done by the committee, thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I seek clarification from the minister. In her presentations, she said, “provision of persons with disability grants to beneficiaries in Kole District” plus any other activities that she had mentioned. Does she mean that this grant will go to Kole District only or you are also going to take care of other districts? Secondly, on the same note about grants, you have indicated in the table many districts and different allocations that you have given to them. I do not know whether you are going to give provision to persons with disability who will come to the national celebration in Kole. If that is so, have you provided any facilitation for transport? Finally, Mr Speaker, if you can allow me, in northern Uganda especially in Pader, Kitgum, and part of Omoro, there is a disease called the Nodding Syndrome Disease. Majority of the people suffering from this disease are disabled. Would you consider taking some study on them so that you see how to give a special grant in handling that situation? The place is a bit localised; it can be managed if you take interest in it. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We shall continue to interact with the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, where we are sharing all these details and maybe, when we get back here, we will have a more meaningful conversation. Mr Speaker, we only receive the money that is appropriated by Parliament. We requested for Shs 100 billion in this financial year. When the budget came out, we had nothing. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs assisted and appropriated only Shs 30 billion, which we were advised it is coming in this quarter. As the money comes – now the verification is not complete because it is continuous. In fact, I received some from Kumi last week. Omoro did not have any of theirs in the last cycle, but we continue receiving those. We require the support of Members; if you discover that there are “ghosts”, the “ghosts” have names, and national IDs; we will deal with them. It is criminal and we need to work together and we need to rely on you, Members of Parliament, to help us to deal with those problems. That is why we try as much as possible to present here the actual list of these people who are receiving this money. Finally, Mr Speaker, the Office of the Attorney- General does not participate anymore in the verification of claimants. When I came into office, I made a decision and I cleared it with Cabinet. The Office of the Attorney-General did not have the capacity to determine the people who lost cattle in the different areas. That decision was left to the leadership of the different districts. We only receive and process; we do not even reduce what has been approved. We are going to continue sharing with the committee and I am sure when we come back, we will have a more enriched report because the committee will have gone to the ground and then, we can have a meaningful discussion. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We had two districts and as you see on the list that we presented, they had zero; those are the districts of Kumi and Omoro. We sent them the cards on which they were supposed to put the details. When the cards were returned, they were totally messed up; so, we sent them back and sent them a new bundle. Therefore, the money that had been allocated to Kumi and Omoro – unfortunately, because the financial year was ending – we sent it back to other districts, which had completed the registration. There are two districts which did not receive any and they are on the list; Omoro and Kumi.

6348 In northern Uganda, we have Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuru, Apac, Omoro, Arua, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaabong, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Lamwo, Lira, Maracha, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Nebbi, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Yumbe, Zombo, Obongi, Terego, Karenga, Kwania, Madi-Okollo, Nabilatuk, and Obongi. In Western Uganda, we have Buhweju, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Hoima, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Kabarole, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kasese, Kibale, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntoroko, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Sheema, Kikuube, Kazo and Rwampara. Madam Speaker, those are the areas that will be covered by the project.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.I would like to thank the Prime Minister and her team for delivering on my request to get some relief food for the nodding disease victims in Omoro, and generally. Wheras that was part of the short-term interventions, my prayer is that we find the cause of the disease. We lost three victims last week. It is important that you report to us what the cause is. Secondly, I would like to interest you in the infrastructure of Omoro. Right now, we have Moroto Road that is not motorable. Also, when it rains – (Member timed out.)

1127 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2021 They eventually booked him on Egypt Air that touched ground last week on Thursday night and the burial took place yesterday. That could be the brief part of it. However, Mr Speaker, allow me to raise a few issues. I would like to thank the Government from the start – starting with hon. Chris Baryomunsi and the Vice-President, who were ordered to arrange for the return. That is how we attempted to go to Turkish Air but the church said: “No, we will retain him and we shall bring him to Uganda.” They said: “Stay put. We shall bring him back to your country.” That is why they could not allow – the process itself was difficult. I would like to thank you, Mr Speaker. As soon as it happened, I got in touch with you and you asked about the details and I told you all that was happening. I contacted the Deputy Speaker, too. Thank you for all the effort and assistance you gave. I would like to thank all Ugandans. The late Archbishop transformed himself from being the leader of the Orthodox Church to being the spirit of the country. (Applause) His alertness to the issues affecting this country elevated him and his shoes that he leaves behind are too big to be filled by any of us. He always spoke out strongly against human rights abuses. He spoke strongly against corruption. I do not want to say it but even when he was being approached in the heat of the campaign, with an envelope, he turned it down and chased those carrying it away. (Applause) Yet, he was a man of no much means, in my own assessment. He was the Archbishop but had only two pairs of shoes – and not new ones: old and flat-heeled pairs. When others thought that he needed more and they donated to him shoes, he would give away those new ones and retain his old ones. He has left no bank account to his name - we have checked - yet he had the means. He did not spend on his family. That is why I stand with you to mourn this great son of Uganda. The President has reached out to religious leaders – and rightly – with the view of working with them. He has extended a hand. Only that when it came to the Orthodox Church, the Government offered means of transport, but when it was brought – it was the Mitsubishi Sport – he refused to sit in it. It is still there. He said he would not sit in it. He has been driving his old Land Cruiser of 2002. He was a proud man. When you say you are going to give to leaders, you have to take into account what befits them. Giving the Archbishop a vehicle meant for shopping in the market – he turned it down and said he would not take it. (Applause) He was simple but he was very proud. I know wherever he is, he is looking back at this country. Even when his health deteriorated, he did not spare himself. I remember when we came to Gulu and specifically to Omoro, to install His Grace Sylvester Kisitu as the Bishop of Gulu and Eastern Uganda - I fondly remember your district, Mr Speaker; your chairman, the Woman MP, hon. Catherine Lamwaka and the entire team you sent us. We even had an opportunity to stay there overnight. You have a peaceful district, Mr Speaker. I am happy you represent it well. Wherever the Archbishop would go, that would be his home. Wherever he set his foot, he would do his best. I still have fond memories of the moments I was with him. To the politics – at the time when you are about to give up on President Museveni, he somehow surprises you. The way the Archbishop critiqued him openly, telling off everybody who would bother to listen, now the Government said that they were offering him an official burial, which we welcomed. That should be the way to go. Yesterday, I witnessed the Chief Mourner, the Vice-President, who was in church. We had the Leader of Opposition and hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and there was peace in the church. (Applause) How I wish we would go on to be tolerant to one another. How I wish